How to Clean Your HVAC System’s Evaporator Coil

Man shrugging wondering about how to clean your HVAC system evaporator coil

Have you noticed signs that you might need AC repair in Atlanta? Perhaps your air isn’t as chilled as you think it should be, or it is altogether hot. But rather than starting your search for heating and air companies in Atlanta, you might be able to correct the problem yourself.

In many cases, when air conditioners start to act up, the culprit isn’t anything serious; it’s just a dirty evaporator coil. Located inside the indoor cabinet of most central AC units, the evaporator coil is prone to get clogged by debris, which prevents the system from properly cooling the air.

So, how can you clean AC coils? By taking the following steps.

Cleaning AC Coils at Home

  1. Locate the Evaporator Coil or Coils: The AC evaporator coil is usually shaped like a pyramid or the letter A and is made up of copper coils. It should be inside a metal box that is located inside your home, not outside with the larger AC unit.
  2. Remove the Screws on the Access Panel: This will give you direct access to the evaporator coil.
  3. Turn off the Air: You should do this at the thermostat. You do not want your system trying to function while you are in the middle of cleaning the coils.
  4. Get Your Cleaning Agent of Choice: You can opt for a homemade evaporator coil cleaner or purchase an evaporator core cleaner, depending on what you want. A homemade version just needs mild detergent and warm water. Mix them in a spray bottle and spray the coils. Let the detergent and water mixture sit for up to a few minutes so it can loose debris. Reapply as needed, then wipe or brush away the material to reveal clean coils underneath.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

If you find that the coils are heavily soiled or you think the issues are internal to the coils rather than external, it is best to work with a professional HVAC company. They can properly assess the situation and use the correct equipment and cleaning agents to get your coils clean and working well once again.

Moncrief Air offers all the HVAC services you could need in Sandy Springs. Whether you are trying to get your AC running better, need to install a new system, or just want help optimizing the one you have, our technicians are always here to help.