Don’t let one problematic air conditioner component get you hot and bothered; trust our team’s professional and thorough services to restore cooling perfection.
As a resident of Sanibel Island, Florida, you divide the year into two main seasons – a dry winter and a wet summer. Since the winters receive little rainfall and the comfortable highs usually rest within the low 70s, the peak tourist time on Sanibel Island spans from December to April. However, when the heat kicks in, cleaning AC coils and other components is important if you want to get your cooling unit running smoothly.
We at Coral Air Conditioning, AC repair services in Sanibel Island, have seen time and again how a simple thing like dirty coils can stand in the way of perfect indoor climate control. Below, we’ll explain why and what we can do to help your cooling unit thrive.
What Are Air Conditioner Coils?
Each air conditioner unit has not one but two coils: evaporator and condenser coils.
The evaporator coil rests near the air handlers within the indoor AC evaporator compartment. When the handlers draw your household air into the unit, the system moves it over this coil. Refrigerant (in liquid form) fills this coil at the start of your cooling cycle and absorbs all the heat from the air passing over it, after which the cool air that’s left redistributes through the household’s vents.
The heat going into the refrigerant turns it into a gas. That evaporated gaseous refrigerant then continues on toward the outdoor condenser coil, where it cools and compresses to release the heat outside your Sanibel Island building. The cooled refrigerant reverts back into a liquid, restarting the process.
Why Is There a Need for Cleaning AC Coils in Sanibel Island?
Now that you understand the heat-transfer process, you can see why cleaning AC coils is imperative to your home’s cooling. A thick layer of dust over these coils creates an extra barrier between the air and the refrigerant, so it won’t be able to properly absorb or release the heat when it should.
Is unconditioned air making your rooms seem too warm? Your Sanibel Island home won’t feel as cool as it should if the coils aren’t clean. Your system may also work longer and harder to compensate for this barrier of grime, resulting in higher utility and repair bills – and that’s not all.
Dust insulates the coil, which means the coolant within it may freeze the coil itself. If you’re seeing visible ice formations or dirty, dusty coils, switch off the cooling and call our experts.
Types of Coil Cleanings
Whether it’s during a semi-annual AC maintenance check or an emergency deep cleaning, your technician will perform one of two processes when cleaning AC coils – dirt or ice.
Dirt and Grime Cleaning
When cleaning the evaporator coils, a professional removes the access panel to visually inspect the coil. They’ll use a gentle coil brush to clean the delicate coil fins without bending them. They also spray the coils with a commercial coil cleaner, letting it sit for a while before carefully wiping it off with a damp cloth.
The process of cleaning the condenser coil varies slightly because your Sanibel Island HVAC technician first has to clear away any overgrown brush, loose twigs, and fallen leaves from around the outdoor condenser unit. When they’re in, they’ll use a brush cleaner and coil spray again before rinsing the condenser coil and replacing the cover panel.
Ice Thawing
If an ice buildup has occurred on either coil, the technician turns the air conditioner setting to “Fan.” As warm air blows over the coils, they may also bring in another warming agent, like a hairdryer, to speed up the thawing process. A soft towel wipes away any excess moisture and debris.
After letting the coil dry, Sanibel Island experts like Coral Air Conditioning check the following:
- Clean dirty filters that cause poor airflow
- Refill the refrigerant
- Reset the thermostat
- Check for proper ventilation
- Unblock the condensate line
Trust Our Sanibel Island Experts With More Than Just Your Coils!
At Coral Air Conditioning, our specialized team arrives with perfect five-star ratings on Google and Facebook and years of experience taking care of a lot more than just coils.
Our professional, family-owned and operated team does everything from cleaning AC coils to installing air handlers. Call us whether you’re thinking about scheduling AC coil cleaning or maintaining your Sanibel Island, FL, cooling unit!
