Learn All About AC Condenser Coil Cleaning With Your Reliable Air Conditioning Repair Technician | Frisco, TX
Do you have an air conditioning unit installed in your Frisco, TX home? Then you can understand how important it is to ensure that every component, including the condenser, is clean. A dirty condenser could lead to issues such as a complete HVAC system breakdown or even reduced heating or cooling efficiency. It is recommended that you have an air conditioning repair technician clean the condensers during a routine maintenance visit. Unfortunately, some homeowners use AC condenser cleaners to cut maintenance costs. Although this may help keep the condenser coils clean because they remove any accumulation of debris and dirt, there are issues and dangers. So, what should you do? The easiest and safest way of ensuring that the air conditioner condenser is clean is by enlisting a professional for a service. Below is what you should know about AC condenser cleaners.
What’s an AC Condenser Cleaner?
This is a device that homeowners use for cleaning the air conditioner condenser coils. Since the coils are located outside the air conditioning unit, they are frequently exposed to dust, dirt, and other forms of debris with time. The AC condenser coil cleaners are designed to remove debris and dust for the coils to function efficiently. However, it is recommended that you leave such a task to a trained, experienced air conditioning repair technician. They will use their experience to remove dirt from the air conditioner and catch other developing issues.
What Factors Should You Consider When Purchasing One?
Ease of Use
Before purchasing an air conditioner condenser cleaner, ensure it is easy to use. Remember, you are less experienced than an air conditioning repair technician. Hence, you want an accessory that doesn’t require you to have any special knowledge or skills.
Safety
Ensure that you are purchasing an air conditioner cleaner that is safe to use. It shouldn’t hurt you or damage the condenser coils.
Effectiveness
The air conditioner cleaner that you purchase should remove the debris and dirt from your condenser coils. Although some cleaners can be effective, having an air conditioning repair technician clean the condenser coils is safer and more effective.
How Often Should the AC Condenser Be Cleaned?
There is no one right answer when it comes to cleaning the condenser of an air conditioner. Several factors, including the climate in your area and the air conditioning unit itself, will determine the frequency with which this cleaning must be done. In most cases, an annual cleaning of the air conditioning condenser is recommended at the very least. However, depending on the specifics of your case, air conditioning repair technicians might advise you to clean your AC condenser more or less frequently.
If there is a lot of debris and dust in the air, for instance, the air conditioner condenser may need to be cleaned more frequently to avoid obstructions and a breakdown in its operation. You can also ensure that your air conditioning unit remains in prime condition throughout the year if you heed the recommendations of the AC repair technicians in your area, especially those on routine maintenance and inspections.
How Do AC Condenser Coils Become Dirty?
The condenser unit is situated outdoors. This leaves it open to a wide variety of environmental dirt and debris. Even though the internal coils of your condenser unit are protected from becoming dirty, thanks to the design of the air conditioner condenser, some debris will inevitably make its way inside and accumulate on the condenser coils over time. Condenser coils that aren’t cleaned regularly might accumulate dirt, leading to various problems. Thus, be on the right side and have an air conditioning repair technician come to your Frisco, TX home for routine maintenance, including cleaning the different components such as ducts, condensers, and evaporator coils.
Are There Negative Impacts of Dirty Condenser Coils?
Yes. Dirty condenser coils have many negative impacts on the operation of the HVAC system. These include:
Shortened System Life
The harder your air conditioning system works to achieve the thermostat set temperatures, the more wearing and tearing it goes through. The excessive stress that the dirty condenser coils place on your air conditioning system will take a toll on your air conditioning system over time. Hence, you may need an air conditioning repair technician to replace the unit prematurely.
Increased Energy Consumption
When debris and dirt accumulate on the condenser coils, it becomes harder for them to transfer the heat from your Frisco, TX home to the outside air. Hence, your air conditioner has to work harder to achieve the thermostat’s set temperatures. Unfortunately, this increases energy consumption. So, you should have it cleaned regularly by a professional air conditioning repair technician to avert such issues.
The System Runs Longer but with No Cooling
The heat absorbed by the evaporator coils is released outdoors with the help of condenser coils. If condenser coils are dirty, this doesn’t happen, meaning that your system will have to work harder. As a result, your unit will run long but not achieve the cooling levels you need. This means more energy utility bills and a larger exposure to wear and tear.
Refrigerant Leaks
As mentioned above, the HVAC condenser coils are on the outdoor unit. Hence, they are exposed to pollutants, dust, and dirt. All these can result in the corrosion of your system. This corrosion could crack the coils or even make them develop holes. As a result, the refrigerant will start leaking, a particularly hazardous issue. If refrigerant leaks, your system won’t cool your home appropriately and requires air conditioning repairs. Hence, cleaning the condenser coils is critical.
Signs That the HVAC Condensers Are Dirty
In the sweltering summer months, you should ensure that your air conditioner works at the best levels to ensure that your indoor space is sufficiently cooled. However, even the priciest and most modern air conditioning system falters and becomes damaged sometimes. This could be a nightmare, especially when it happens mid-summer and you don’t have contacts of an air conditioning repair technician.
This means you will start frantically searching for an “AC repair technician near me” on the internet or even calling your friends for referrals. However, it could be good if we knew the underlying problem. Whenever the air conditioner becomes dirty, it affects its performance. But how can you know it is time to clean the condenser coils? Below are the main signs to watch out for to identify a dirty condenser.
Lower than Usual Cooling
A dirty condenser is likely why your air conditioner is not producing as much cooled air as it once did. Whenever a condenser is not cleaned properly, its capacity to remove heat is significantly diminished. Consequently, the air conditioner cannot effectively cool the space as it formerly did. If you notice a decrease in cooling power, your condenser may need to be cleaner. Hence, you should call an air conditioning repair technician in Frisco, TX to clean it.
Abnormal and Loud Noises
Another red flag is if your air conditioner is making unusually loud noises, as this is not something it should do. Dirty AC condenser coils can produce loud noises. The condenser can sometimes become clogged with debris, such as dirt, leaves, and other particles. Sticks or tiny leaves have the potential to become lodged there. These can result in the condenser making loud noises, a clear sign that it needs to be cleaned. If you do not wish to perform the maintenance, inquire about air conditioning repair and maintenance in your area.
Higher Bills
Are your electricity bills significantly higher than they usually are? This is another simple sign that your condenser needs to be cleaned. The air conditioning system’s energy efficiency can be negatively impacted when the condenser is unclean. Because the air conditioner cannot deliver the same level of cooling as it formerly did, it must put in significantly more effort. The monthly electricity costs skyrocket as a direct result of this. Therefore, if you see that your expenses are significantly more than usual, it is highly recommended that you have an air conditioning repair pro inspect your condenser.
Buildup of Fluid
Fluid can accumulate in the HVAC condenser coil when it is lodged with dirt or debris. The transformation of the gas coolant to a fluid is the function of the condenser. A dirty condenser can’t perform its function effectively and might even leak. You might see liquid trickling from the air conditioner. Contact an air conditioning repair technician in Frisco, TX to examine your condenser coil. While cleaning the condenser alone might be possible, this only completes half of the task. You must contact a service expert to get the AC condenser coil cleaned properly and professionally. A specialist will complete the task, guaranteeing that the issues are resolved.
Why You Shouldn’t Clean the AC Condensers Yourself
Although there are many online tutorials on using the AC condenser cleaner to clean the coils, this is usually not recommended. DIY AC repair and maintenance jobs are discouraged. Cleaning the air conditioner coils should be left to licensed technicians for the following reasons:
High Voltage
Air conditioners are high-voltage appliances, meaning they operate on high amounts of electrical power. This means that you could easily be electrocuted. Typical air conditioners run on about 220-240V. Such electrical voltage can kill. Hence, ensure that a trained air conditioning repair professional does the cleaning of any component, such as the condenser.
Easy to Damage
The air conditioner compressor coils are fragile. The condenser fins can easily be crushed or bent. The last thing you want is to be the one that is responsible for damaging them. Rather than worsen the problem to save a few bucks, have an air conditioning repair technician in Frisco, TX do the cleaning. They might even notice other underlying issues during the maintenance visit.
It Could Void the Warranty
Concerning paying for the repairs, some warranties are voided if you repair an air conditioner yourself. These appliances aren’t cheap, and if a tiny issue isn’t treated correctly, it may rapidly grow into a larger one that requires professional assistance.
Proper Tools
Returning to safety and the brittleness of air conditioners, many AC units contain refrigerants and chemicals that the normal person isn’t familiar with handling. In addition, you may have to replace the foam insulation when cleaning an air conditioner. Again, this should be handled by a professional air conditioning repair technician because using improper foam can harm your device.
Spot Further Problems
Beyond simply cleaning your unit, an air conditioning repair professional in Frisco, TX can identify the root causes of its wear and tear or recurring deterioration. Yes, a certain level of debris and dirt is expected. However, a technician may be able to find a solution to improve your unit’s efficiency and might even find a cause for premature wear and tear that you hadn’t anticipated. For instance, did you know that a dog urinating can cause an AC unit to degrade? A specialist for HVAC systems can also identify more serious issues with your system.
We are all for Do-it-Yourself, but cleaning an air conditioner is not something you should attempt on your own. It is better that you be safer than sorry in this situation, and the cost of air conditioning repair will be far lower than what you would pay if your do-it-yourself remedy turned out to be a worse issue.
What Is the Best Way to Clean the AC Condenser Coils?
Although you can use a condenser cleaner to clean the outdoor unit, it is best done by a trained HVAC repair and maintenance pro. This is the best way to ensure that the coils remain clean and that the unit is heating your home efficiently. Do you need air conditioner maintenance services such as duct cleaning, condenser coil cleaning, or even component replacement? Contact us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas today.