Air Conditioning Coils

Filthy air-conditioner evaporator coils are a serious problem because they can raise energy bills, shorten the service life of the air conditioning system and could contaminate the air with unhealthy mold and spores. Cleaning the coils inside the air handler is difficult and messy. It's best left to a professional.

Central air conditioners actually have two sets of coils: one inside the house...and the other outside. By following the manufacturer's instructions, a do-it-yourselfer can clean the outside coils with a garden hose.

Plus, here are a few other things you can do to keep your a/c running at peak efficiency :

• Change or clean your filter regularly--as often as every thirty days during peak cooling season.
• Be aware that if your clothes dryer vents near your outside air conditioning unit, those coils will need cleaning more frequently because of the lint that gets deposited there.
• Keep shrubs and plants away from the unit--two feet around the sides, and four feet on top.

And think about getting an annual service contract on your heating and air conditioning system. It'll usually pay for itself by lowering energy bills.

Guests
Colin Conroy
Inspector
Phone: 954-941-1602
Also in this Episode

House Detective : Episode HDT-208
•	Air Conditioning Coils
•	Termites