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What is the Effect of a Dirty AC Coil on Your System?

Inland Empire Comfort
Feb 24, 2022

Coils in your air conditioning system remove heat and humidity and replace them with cool air. Unfortunately, a dirty AC coil can wreak havoc in your system with little warning. Knowing the effects of a dirty AC coil on your system can help you prevent future problems.


Inland Empire Comfort's air conditioning repair in Riverside is an effective solution when you need a detailed AC repair. Our professionals understand that you need fast, reliable repairs. In the meantime, read on to learn more about air conditioning coils and their effects.


Understanding Your AC Coils

Your air conditioning system has two coils. Its cooling performance significantly decreases when these coils aren't working correctly.


  • Evaporator coil: The evaporator coil is in your indoor unit. The refrigerant in the coil evaporates as hot air passes through the system. This cools the air before it moves to the outdoor unit.
  • Condenser coil: The outdoor unit’s condenser coil releases heat from the air while the refrigerant condenses again. Debris in your condenser unit can make it difficult for it to release heat.


You should contact professionals at the first sign of a dirty AC coil. While cleaning a dirty AC coil yourself is possible, HVAC professionals have specialized training and advanced equipment that make this process fast and effective. You can ensure satisfying results with a professional HVAC team on your side.


Effects of a Dirty AC Coil

Many people brush off HVAC issues because of the often high repair and maintenance expenses. The longer you wait to get a dirty AC coil service, the more problems your unit will face. Without repairs, you're at risk for:


  • Higher energy bills
  • Decreased home value
  • Inefficient cooling performance
  • Clogs in your drain line
  • Frozen coils
  • Increased AC problems


High Utility Costs

When dirt, dust, and other debris gather on your indoor AC coil, this makes it difficult for your system to cool air appropriately. Your system will struggle to detect the correct temperature, leading to cooling inefficiencies.


Your AC system may need to run longer to cool your interior effectively, or you may notice your unit turning on more often. A dirty AC coil boosts your utility costs significantly when it has to run longer to keep your space at its normal temperature.


Lower Home Value

In addition to high utility bills, your home’s value also suffers from a dirty AC coil. When coils’ performance decreases from buildup, it also affects your energy efficiency rating. Your home’s energy efficiency rating depends on your HVAC system and your overall energy usage.


Homeowners can get tax reductions and other benefits with a high home energy efficiency rating. Low efficiency ratings can negatively affect your home’s value, making it harder to sell. The last thing someone wants is to move into a house with poor energy efficiency.


Decreased Performance

Performance decreases significantly when your AC coils are dirty. Your unit can no longer cool air efficiently with a layer of dirt buildup on the indoor coil. Refrigerant may take longer to evaporate, resulting in higher indoor temperatures or, in extreme cases, your unit overheating.


When dirt, leaves, grass, and other debris get in your outdoor unit, the same issue occurs with a dirty evaporator coil. If condenser fins are not straight or free of damage, your air conditioner’s performance will be lower.


With decreased performance, your unit may start to grow mold. Poor airflow performance can contribute to respiratory issues and prevent proper air filtration. By keeping your AC coils clean, you can avoid performance issues.


Increased Damage

Neglecting to clean a dirty AC coil may not seem like a big deal at first, but problems don't often arise until later. Because your unit is working harder, other parts will need repairing more often. In extreme cases, your minor coil issue may eventually warrant a complete system replacement.


You don't want to increase your HVAC system's repair costs. You can reverse the damage and get effective fixes that save money with the proper repair services. You'll decrease your air handler's longevity by skipping maintenance and waiting for repairs.


Frozen Coils

Filthy evaporator coils will have a hard time cooling hot air. Instead of cooling air, condensation freezes on the coil. As ice builds up, your unit eventually stops absorbing heat altogether. When coils can't effectively remove heat from the air, your unit may break down from overheating.


Clogged Drain Line

Another effect of a dirty AC coil is a clogged drain line. As condensation builds up inside the indoor unit with nowhere to go, it falls into the drip pan and enters the drain line to prevent flooding or leaks. If your indoor unit is filthy, a clogged drain line will keep built-up water from draining from the drip pan, resulting in leaks.


Emergency Air Conditioning Repair

If a dirty AC coil makes your AC unit stop working at the worst time, you don’t have to deal with blistering temperatures. Many HVAC companies offer emergency services to resolve severe issues promptly.


Inland Empire Comfort Air Conditioning and Heating offer

 emergency AC repair services to residents and businesses in Riverside, CA, and the surrounding areas. We arrive on time, diagnose your air conditioner quickly, and make practical repairs to improve its efficiency. Our team has years of experience repairing air conditioners and more.


Our team of licensed, highly-trained technicians possess the knowledge and attention to detail to implement solutions seamlessly. You’ll get expert handiwork and friendly customer service at reasonable prices, and you’ll have a cool home in no time.


Get a Professional Air Conditioning Repair by Inland Empire Comfort

Don’t let a dirty AC coil be the cause of your air conditioning system’s problems. If you suspect dirty coils are at fault, we can clean them and restore your unit to working condition. Call Inland Empire Comfort Air Conditioning and Heating at (951) 336-1817 or fill out our online form for a free quote.

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