How to Clean Evaporator Coils | Cleaning Evaporator Coils (2024)

Air Conditioners, HVAC Education, Buying Tips, Furnaces, Technology, Evaporator Coils

Cleaning your evaporator coil helps your air conditioner or heat pump system work efficiently and can also prolong its life. It’s normally attached to your furnace, and we recommend having it cleaned each year before heating season begins, but it’s ideal to repeat mid-season. Although some homeowners might try to clean their evaporator coil themselves, this service is best handled by a trained Carrier HVAC technician.

How to Clean Evaporator Coils | Cleaning Evaporator Coils (1)

Steps For Cleaning Evaporator Coils

The evaporator coil should be inspected and cleaned (if necessary) before each cooling season. These are the steps that your Carrier expert may complete:

  • Turn the air conditioner or heat pump and furnace off and wait until they have cooled down.
  • Remove the access panel to expose the coil.
  • If the coils are coated with dirt or lint, vacuum them with a soft brush attachment.
  • If the coils are coated with oil or grease, clean them with a mild detergent and water solution and rinse. Be careful not to splash water on insulation.
  • Inspect drain pan and condensate drain at the same time cooling coil is checked.
  • Clean drain pan and condensate drain by removing any foreign matter from pan.
  • Flush pan and drain tube with clear water. If drain tube is restricted, it can generally be cleared by high−pressure water. Cut plastic line and work outside condensate pan and away from coil to clean drain tube.
  • Replace the panel when finished cleaning the coils.
  • Turn the HVAC system power back on.

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How to Clean Evaporator Coils | Cleaning Evaporator Coils (2024)

FAQs

How to Clean Evaporator Coils | Cleaning Evaporator Coils? ›

Steps For Cleaning Evaporator Coils

How do you clear a clogged evaporator coil? ›

Any debris that is stuck can be worked away using your soft bristle brush. Make sure you are not using a metal or wire brush because it can damage the coils. Once you get most of the loose dirt removed, you can use an AC cleaning solvent or a mixture of water and dish detergent to spray the coils off.

How to remove oil from an evaporator coil? ›

The method of recovering oil from the evaporators of refrigerating systems includ ing a suction line which consists in pumping the oil and admixed liquid refrigerant from the evaporator; confinin'gthe oil and re frigerant at a pressure slightly above the suction pressure of the system at a point re I mote from the ...

How to flush an evaporator coil? ›

Steps For Cleaning Evaporator Coils

Remove the access panel to expose the coil. If the coils are coated with dirt or lint, vacuum them with a soft brush attachment. If the coils are coated with oil or grease, clean them with a mild detergent and water solution and rinse. Be careful not to splash water on insulation.

Is evaporator coil cleaning worth it? ›

Cleaning AC units reduces electricity bills.

When fins and coils are clean, air circulates more fully and AC systems operate and cool more efficiently, reducing the unit's power consumption.

What are the symptoms of a clogged evaporator core? ›

Signs of a Dirty AC Coil
  • Dirt on the coil. A thick layer of dirt, dust and other gunk on your evaporator coil is the most obvious sign of a filthy coil. ...
  • Ineffective cooling. ...
  • Longer operation of the air conditioner. ...
  • Unusually high bills. ...
  • Loss of air pressure. ...
  • Frost on the coils.
Apr 26, 2022

What blocks the airflow through the evaporator coils? ›

Ice on the evaporator coil. In some cases, a gray layer of dust, dirt or ice can become so think on the AC coils that the airflow through the system is almost entirely blocked.

How often should evaporator coils be cleaned? ›

You should clean your ac coils, including the evaporator and condenser coils twice a year. Once in the spring before your turn on the system for the summer, and once in the fall before you shut it down for the winter.

What are the symptoms of an oil logged evaporator coil? ›

Some symptoms of an oil-logged evaporator include:
  • Noisy compressor;
  • Low oil level in the sight glass on the compressor's crankcase;
  • TXV has a hard time controlling superheat (hunting);
  • Low evaporator and compressor superheat; and.
  • Warmer-than-normal box temperatures with loss of capacity.
Feb 6, 2002

Will vinegar hurt evaporator coils? ›

Yes, in a nutshell, you can use vinegar to wash the air conditioning unit coils because it is the best DIY cleaning solution for this purpose.

Can you use degreaser on evaporator coils? ›

You can use degreasers on condenser coils, however be sure to choose degreasing cleaners specially made for cleaning HVACR coils. Products like CoilShine offer terrific degreasing of HVAC coils, and are designed with no acids, and are biodegradable.

How do you clean the inside of an evaporator coil without removing it? ›

Use the canister of compressed air to blow the dirt and debris loose. A 90º angle works best if you're using high pressure air for cleaning. If you locate a patch of stubborn dirty place, put the air nozzle close to the surface and it should blow the dirty clear.

How long does it take for evaporator coils to dry after cleaning? ›

Once you have cleaned your evaporator coils, you may need to allow your system to dry before turning the AC back on. Leave the access panel off and wait 30 to 60 minutes before turning the system back on.

How do you unclog an evaporator coil? ›

Over time, the coils can accumulate dirt and debris, reducing their efficiency. To inspect the coils, use a flashlight and look through the access panel. If you see any buildup on the coils, use a soft brush or cloth to gently remove it. Be careful not to damage the coils.

How to clean AC coils without removing them? ›

Use the canister of compressed air to blow the dirt and debris loose. A 90º angle works best if you're using high pressure air for cleaning. If you locate a patch of stubborn dirty place, put the air nozzle close to the surface and it should blow the dirty clear.

How often should AC evaporator coils be cleaned? ›

You should clean your ac coils, including the evaporator and condenser coils twice a year. Once in the spring before your turn on the system for the summer, and once in the fall before you shut it down for the winter.

Do you have to turn AC off to clean coils? ›

Begin by cutting the power to your A/C by turning off the breaker at your electrical box or by removing the fuse from the fuse box, usually located outdoors near the cabinet. You don't want to risk a shock while washing off the coil.

Can you spray water on evaporator coil? ›

You could also clean the evaporator coils on the AC unit inside your home. However, spraying water on that component can be tricky, so it's best to leave it for the professionals.

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