If you’ve noticed higher heating bills and a less comfortable home this winter, you may have a dirty furnace coil. Nearly every home in this region has a central HVAC system that combines a furnace and an air conditioner or a heat pump. These appliances use a furnace coil, sometimes called an evaporator coil, to carry refrigerant inside the air handler.
Like all parts of the HVAC system, dust can cover the coil and not only does it slow the cooling process, it also impedes home heating, especially if you use a heat pump. When it’s dirty, the air can’t flow as freely, and the heating process slows.
The best thing you can do to prevent dirt from accumulating on the coil is to change the air filter routinely. When a filter gets too dirty, some of the dust on it will enter the air handler and cover the furnace or evaporator coil, where it:
- Insulates the coil and slows the heat exchange process. This effect is most noticeable with home cooling or heating if you use a heat pump for winter heating.
- Slows the airflow. The furnace coil sits inside a metal frame and consists of metal tubing that may be covered with fins. A coating of dirt or mold slows or stops the air from going through it,
Besides filter changes, you can avoid a dirty furnace coil by having your HVAC system serviced and cleaned annually. HVAC technicians have the tools and products to safely clean the coil
If you discover mold growth on the coil, you may need to install ultraviolet (UV) lights in the air handler to prevent a recurrence. During the cooling season, the coil condenses water vapor from the air and provides an ideal environment for mold and biofilm growth. UV lights will prevent this growth, improving the airflow and indoor air quality.
Avoiding a dirty furnace coil and the high energy bills that go with it is as easy as staying on top of HVAC maintenance. To learn more, contact CCAC, providing top-notch HVAC services for Coastal Bend homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas 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 361-678-2495.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Gustavo-Frazao/Shutterstock”
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