Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner's condenser apparatus is outside where waste heat can dissipate to the outdoor air as the heated gas inside it returns to its liquid state under pressure. Like the interior coils, the exterior coils are a heat transfer site; in this case, though, the heat moves in the opposite direction, going from the coolant into the surrounding air with the help of exhaust fans.Like evaporator arrays, condenser arrays typically contain copper or other metals that easily transfer heat. Their vanes are built into the exterior unit to facilitate cooling. Your air conditioner runs more efficiently when excess heat leaves the system quickly, so keeping the coils clean can lower your utility bills and lengthen the lifespan of your system.
Outside units are susceptible to collecting dust, pollen and other debris, but they are easier to clean than interior coils. A stiff nylon brush, a can of commercial cleaning solution and a hose are usually sufficient to remove any build-up of dirt. As with interior unit cleaning jobs, turn off power to the unit before cleaning the vanes, coils and grill. If the unit has not been cleaned in some time, it's best to call a professional AC service to clean the coils thoroughly.
For the first time cleaning interior or exterior coils, calling HVAC specialists such as the certified technicians at Air Conditioning Southeast is a good idea. Your technician can give you tips on keeping coils clean and free of debris and help you devise a maintenance schedule to make your AC run at peak efficiency.
