Most people connect coil cleaning with air conditioning. When summer comes around, everyone starts worrying about whether their AC will keep up with the heat. But what about winter? What about those months in Boston when the temperature drops below freezing, and your heating system is running nonstop just to keep your home warm?
If you have an HVAC unit with both heating and cooling functions, your coils play a role in both seasons. And when those coils are dirty, they can mess with your heating just as much as it messes with your cooling.
So let us go through this and discuss why coil cleaning in Boston is not just a summer option.
How Coils Work in Your HVAC System?
Your HVAC system has two types of coils: the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. In cooling mode, the evaporator coil absorbs heat from inside your home, and the condenser coil releases that heat outside. The refrigerant flowing between these coils is what makes the whole process work.
Now, in a heat pump system, this process reverses during winter. The system pulls heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside. When those coils are covered in dust, dirt, or debris, that transfer process slows down, and your system has to work harder to produce the same amount of warmth.
A dirty coil can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system by 20 to 40 percent. That kind of efficiency loss shows up on your energy bill every single month.
Why Do Coils Get Dirty?
It does not matter how clean your house is. Coils get dirty because of the air that passes through your system every day.
Your HVAC system pulls in air from your home, filters it, and pushes it back out. But no filter catches 100 percent of the particles. Over time, dust, pet dander, pollen, cooking residue, and even microscopic fibers from clothing and furniture settle on the coils. The moisture on the evaporator coil makes it even easier for these particles to stick and build up layer after layer.
If nobody cleans the coils for a year or two, that thin layer of dust turns into a thick coating that acts like a blanket over the coil surface, and it damages the coil.
Impact of Dirty Coil on Heating Performance
When you switch your system to heating mode, and the coils are dirty, a few things might go wrong.
- The first issue is reduced heat transfer. The coil needs direct contact with the air to absorb or release heat. When there is a layer of grime on the surface, the coil cannot transfer heat as well. Your system runs longer to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat, but it takes more time and more energy to get there.
- The second issue is increased strain on the compressor. The compressor is one of the most important and most expensive components in your HVAC system. When the coils are dirty, the compressor has to work harder to maintain the right pressure levels for the refrigerant. Over time, this extra strain can shorten the life of the compressor and lead to a breakdown.
- The third issue is uneven heating throughout your home. You might notice that some rooms feel warm while others stay cold. This happens because the system cannot push out enough heated air to reach every part of your home when the coils are not functioning at the level they should be.
Investing in coil cleaning in Boston before winter starts can prevent all three of these problems. It is one of those maintenance steps that does not cost much but saves you a lot of trouble down the road.
Your Winter Energy Bills are Linked to Coil Performance
The heating season in Boston stretches from late October to April, and sometimes even into early May. That is six to seven months of your HVAC system working to keep your home warm.
If your coils are dirty, your system is running at 20 to 40 percent reduced efficiency. On a monthly basis, that reflects as an extra 50 to 150 dollars on your energy bill. And throughout the winter, this amount may result in hundreds of dollars, all because of a dirty coil.
When we perform coil cleaning in Boston for our clients, they do notice a difference in their next energy bill. The system runs less often, reaches the set temperature faster, and does not cycle on and off as much.
A Dirty Coil Cause Your Heating System to Break Down
A dirty coil puts extra pressure on every part of your HVAC system. The compressor works harder. The blower motor runs longer. The refrigerant pressure goes out of balance. All of these things increase the chance of a mechanical failure.
When the outdoor coil is dirty, it cannot absorb heat from the air, and the moisture on the coil freezes. The system has a defrost cycle to handle some ice buildup, but when the coil is dirty, the ice accumulates faster than the defrost cycle can handle it. This leads to a frozen unit that cannot heat your property at all.
Replacing a compressor can cost anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 dollars, and if the system is older, it might make more sense to replace the whole unit. Compare that to the cost of a professional coil cleaning, which is a fraction of that price.
Signs You Need to Clean Your Coil Before Winter
There are a few indicators that tell you it is time to schedule a coil cleaning in Boston before the cold season.
- Your energy bills have been going up even though your usage remains the same.
- Your system takes longer than usual to reach the temperature you set on the thermostat.
- You hear your system cycling on and off more often than it used to.
- Some rooms in your home feel warm while others stay cold.
- You notice ice forming on the outdoor unit of your heat pump during winter.
- There is a musty or stale smell coming from your vents.
If any of these sound familiar, your coils are likely due for a cleaning. Take necessary steps and schedule coil cleaning in Boston as soon as possible.
How Often Should You Get Your Coils Cleaned?
The general recommendation from HVAC professionals and organizations like ASHRAE is to have your coils inspected and cleaned at least once a year. For homes in Boston, where the heating season is long, and the system runs for months, twice a year is even better. Once before summer and once before winter gives your system the best chance of performing well through both seasons.
Homes with pets, homes with members who have allergies or respiratory conditions, and older homes with aging HVAC systems may benefit from more frequent cleaning. The impact on air quality and system performance is more noticeable.
At Delta Clean Air, we recommend scheduling your coil cleaning in Boston in early fall, right before the heating season begins. This way, your system goes into winter with clean coils, proper airflow, and no buildup slowing things down.
Professional Coil Cleaning vs. Doing It Yourself
Some people try to clean their coils on their own using a garden hose or a can of coil cleaner. While surface-level cleaning can help a little, it does not compare to what a professional service can do.
Professional coil cleaning involves accessing both the evaporator and condenser coils, applying the right cleaning solutions, rinsing without damaging the fins, and inspecting for damage or wear that needs attention. The evaporator coil is not easy to access without the right tools and training.
There is also a risk of bending the coil fins if you are not careful. Bent fins restrict airflow and reduce the coil’s ability to transfer heat, which creates the same problem you were trying to fix in the first place.
A professional coil cleaning in Boston from a trained technician takes care of all of this without the risk of accidental damage. It also gives you a chance to have your whole system inspected at the same time, which can catch small problems before they become expensive repairs.
Schedule Your Coil Cleaning With Delta Clean Air
You made it through this whole blog, and now you know that dirty coils do not just affect your AC. They affect your heating, your energy bills, your system’s lifespan, and the air your family breathes during the coldest months of the year.
At Delta Clean Air, our team knows the challenges of Boston’s climate, and we know how to get your coils back in working condition so your heating system performs all winter long.
A dirty coil costs you money and comfort. Contact Delta Clean Air today and schedule your coil cleaning before the next cold hits Boston.
