Maintaining adequate airflow through your HVAC system is necessary for your furnace to work properly. That’s why your HVAC technician advises that you check the furnace filter every month and replace it when you see any accumulation of dirt and debris. Another common source of airflow restrictions that’s hidden away and easily overlooked is a dirty furnace coil.
What is a Furnace Coil?
In many central HVAC systems, the air conditioner evaporator coil is located inside the furnace plenum cabinet adjacent to the heat exchanger. When the furnace cycles on and the blower fan starts up, heated air gets pushed across the evaporator coil before it’s sent out through the ductwork to the different rooms in your home.
The evaporator consists of coiled copper tubing with channels in between for airflow. When your HVAC system is in cooling mode, condensation on the coil can trap debris and allow mold growth that eventually blocks the air channels.
This buildup of dirt on the coil can cause unpleasant consequences when you’re running the furnace, such as:
- A drop in heating efficiency — When it has to get past an obstruction like a dirty coil, your furnace has to work harder so it uses more energy and you pay more to heat your home.
- Added wear on key components — Working against an airflow restriction puts extra strain on your heating system components, so they’re more likely to breakdown or fail prematurely.
- Loss of comfort — Diminished airflow through the system means less air at the registers, which makes it more difficult to keep your home comfortably warm.
How to Deal With a Dirty Furnace Coil
Cleaning a furnace coil is a job for an experienced HVAC professional who can safely access the coil, then use compressed air, soft brushes and special cleaning solvents to remove accumulated dirt and debris. Afterward, they will treat the coil, condensate drain and pan with a biocide to help prevent future mold growth.
If you’re concerned that a dirty furnace coil may be causing heating system problems in your Lorain home, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning for expert help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about a dirty furnace coil and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area