An evaporator coil inspection may reveal the hidden secret behind your air conditioner’s poor cooling performance and/or high operating costs. “Hidden” is the right word because, in most cases, the A/C evaporator coil is sealed inside the air handler and not readily accessible to the homeowner. However, a qualified HVAC technician has the expertise and tools to access the sealed compartment and perform an evaporator coil inspection. Here’s why it’s necessary.
The evaporator coil is the primary A/C component that absorbs heat energy from the air and extracts humidity. The efficiency of heat exchange at the evaporator is diminished by common factors like a coating of dust or dirt on coil surfaces or contamination with mold. Other problems noted in an inspection include coil icing, typically caused by low system airflow or insufficient refrigerant. Cooling is diminished, the system runs longer “on” cycles and uses more electricity and components like the compressor receive excessive wear and tear.
The basics of an evaporator coil inspection include:
- Shutting off power to the indoor air handler at the switch or circuit breaker panel.
- Removing sheet screws securing the coil access panel. Usually, seams of the panel are also sealed with metal foil tape that must be peeled away.
- Removing the access panel and exposing the evaporator coil.
- Visually inspecting for dust, dirt and mold contamination or evidence of coil icing.
- If dust or dirt appears extensive, the technician may remove additional panels to access the opposite side of the coil, too.
- Once sufficient access is available, the technician will use a spray foam solution formulated for coil cleaning. As the foam soaks coil passageways and removes dirt, the solution drips down into the coil condensate drain pan.
- If evidence of mold growth is noted, the technician will use EPA-approved disinfectants to treat coil surfaces, as well as cleaning and installing time-release biocides in the coil drain pan.
- After cleaning, access panels are re-installed and panel seams sealed with metal foil tape.
To schedule an evaporator coil inspection and cleaning for your central A/C, contact Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about evaporator coils and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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