A Guide to Cleaning Your AC’s Evaporator Coils in Englewood, CO

As your air conditioner runs, it accumulates grime and dust on the evaporator coils. Learning how to clean evaporator coils on an AC unit helps maintain system efficiency and reduce energy costs. Some people feel comfortable with this interior AC maintenance work, while others call our experts for AC services in Englewood, CO.

Learn about the steps required for evaporator coil cleaning.

Emphasize Safety When Cleaning Air Conditioning Coils in Englewood, CO

When accessing your indoor evaporator coils on the air conditioning system, you need the right tools and equipment. If you have a central air system, the coils will be in the same area as the furnace.

When working on the evaporator coils with the indoor unit, they might be behind a service panel for the air handler unit. This section could be several feet off the ground or tucked into a tight space in your utility room. You may need a ladder or step stool to reach the coils.

Work with care around the coils and when removing the service panel, as they could have sharp metal edges.

You need to turn off the power to your HVAC system before working on it. Most central air conditioning systems have a wall switch near the furnace that you can flip on and off to cut power to the system.

Steps for Cleaning Evaporator Coils

After finishing all the safety considerations, remove the service panel. Place the screws in a location where they won’t get lost or fall into the air handler or furnace.

You can then follow the steps for how to clean evaporator coils on an AC unit to perform grime, dirt, and debris removal. Cleaning the coils just before the primary cooling season arrives delivers the best results. High temperatures routinely reach the 80s and higher from June through early September in Englewood, CO.

Brush and Wipe Down the Coils

Carefully use a brush to remove any dust or debris on the metal surfaces of the coils and fins. Some people prefer to use a microfiber cloth or rag to wipe down the surfaces. Work from the top of the metal to the bottom to force the debris toward the ground.

Apply a Coil Cleaner Solution

Using a coil cleaning solution is the next step. You can purchase a cleaning solution that you’ll spray onto the coils. Many of these products foam up upon application. 

Let the solution sit in place for up to 10 minutes.

Straighten Any Bent Fins

While the coil cleaner solution works on the grime, you should straighten any bent fins. You can purchase a special brush that will straighten the fins. 

Rinse the Cleaning Solution

Place tap water in a spray bottle and apply it in the same areas as the cleaning solution. Try to use as little water as possible to avoid introducing moisture-related odors. Afterward, carefully dry the metal with a towel as thoroughly as you can.

Reassemble the Panels and Run the System

Double-check all the work you’ve done. Then, replace the access panel and turn the system on. It should start running within a minute or two after turning on the wall switch.

Air Conditioning Maintenance Includes Cleaning Your AC’s Evaporator Coils 

When you hire professionals to perform annual maintenance on your air conditioning system, they’ll clean the entire system. This includes having professionals take the necessary steps to clean evaporator coils on an AC unit.

Some of the other benefits you receive when hiring professionals to maintain the air conditioner include:

• Creating better airflow efficiency
• Replacing the air filter
• Improved cooling performance
• Lower power bills
• Replacing worn parts
• Checking refrigerant levels
• Running diagnostic tests
• Cleaning outdoor condenser coils

Because Englewood, CO, has high pollen counts in spring and summer, coil cleaning is especially important. Pollen sticks to the metal as you run the system.