Air conditioners rely on various components to provide effective cooling, with the evaporator and condenser coils being among the most crucial. When these coils accumulate dirt, the system’s efficiency can drop significantly, leading to inadequate cooling performance.

Drawing on decades of expertise, we’ll highlight the key signs that your AC coils are dirty. By recognizing these warning signs, you can promptly arrange for cleaning services, helping to maintain efficiency and ensure your home stays cool.

Top Signs Your Air Conditioner Coils Need to Be Cleaned

Here are the top signs to look out for when your AC coils are dirty:

1. Reduced Cooling Output

One of the most identifiable signs is a reduced cooling output from the air conditioner. If you notice your home isn’t being properly cooled or only warm air is coming out of the vents, dirty AC coils could be the reason.

As dirt and debris begin to accumulate on the air conditioner’s coils, a layer of insulation is created that prevents the coils from absorbing heat from the air indoors. This occurrence can also restrict air passages, reducing the amount of air that is supposed to come into contact with the coils.

The consequences of these issues are:

Lower cooling performance
Reduced air circulation
Diminished cooling capacity of the AC system
Higher monthly utility bills

2. Increased Energy Consumption

When AC coils are dirty, they can cause your HVAC system to work harder than usual. This increased workload makes it harder for the system to maintain desired temperatures and increases energy consumption.

Dirty coils in HVAC systems hinder heat absorption and transfer, driving up energy consumption. This can also make it difficult for the system to maintain refrigerant pressure, another reason for increased energy consumption.

If you notice an unexpected rise in your energy bills and cannot determine the cause, dirty AC coils could be the culprit.

3. Frequent Cycling

Have you noticed that your HVAC system is turning on and off more than usual? Dirty AC coils could be responsible for that troublesome, frequent cycling.

Pressure and temperature can vary across dirty evaporator coils, causing increased intervals of cycling as the system struggles to compensate. This system inefficiency only leads to more issues.

4. Ice Formation on the Coils

One of the more puzzling signs is ice formation. Since your AC’s dirty coils can’t properly absorb heat from the air, the drop in temperature can plummet to below freezing. The moisture in the air then freezes on the coil surface, potentially forming ice. Not only does this hinder system efficiency, but coil damage is also possible.

5. Strange Odors

Are you starting to notice foul odors coming from your HVAC system?

Moisture around the coils creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. Once present, mold and mildew can emit rotten or musty smells, seriously affecting indoor air quality and the health of the home’s occupants.

Another possibility is volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. VOCs are chemicals from sources like cleaning products, furnishings, and paints that can accumulate on the AC’s coils. When VOCs are heated, they give off an unpleasant odor and can potentially create health hazards in your indoor living spaces.

AC Coil Types

Central air conditioning systems have an indoor and outdoor unit, each with its own coil:

The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the inside air.
The outdoor unit houses the condenser coil, which releases captured heat outside.

Why Is It Important to Clean AC Coils?

Cleaning the dirty coils in HVAC systems is crucial because of the moisture generated during the cooling process and the air that flows over them. Dirt, dust, debris, and various pollutants from the air can quickly accumulate on the coils. Without regular cleaning, heat transfer becomes impaired, leading to ineffective cooling throughout the home.

By regularly cleaning your AC’s dirty coils, you ensure that the system runs efficiently, delivers the desired cooling, and reduces the risk of the mentioned issues occurring.

How Often Should AC Coils Be Cleaned?

Clean your AC coils at least once a year. If they get dirty easily, more frequent cleanings may be needed.

Schedule a professional cleaning service with the professionals from our HVAC company once a year before the summer so your home is properly prepared for the cooling season.

Professional Air Conditioning Repair Services

If your AC coils need to be cleaned, contact our staff at (864) 256-0643 to receive assistance. Our team members offer reputable air conditioning repair services in Greenville, South Carolina and have the tools necessary to remove excess dirt or debris in your HVAC system.

Our professionals also offer extensive air conditioning replacement and air conditioning maintenance services for homeowners and will work with you to keep your living space cool throughout the warm season.

Don’t let yourself struggle through the summer heat without proper cooling. Contact our team today for support.

Out of sight and out of mind, it can be easy to forget the air ducts of your home. It is imperative for the performance of your HVAC system and the health of your family that your air ducts stay clean. Dirty air ducts may start with small complications, but the longer they go unaddressed, the bigger problems such as a broken HVAC system or health issues can result.

How do you truly know when you have dirty air ducts? To help you diagnose HVAC issues, we have created a comprehensive outline of the most common signs of dirty air ducts and what to keep an eye out for.

Do My Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?

The main signs your air ducts need cleaning include dusty vent grills, mold growth, strange odors, bad allergies, insect infestations, and reduced HVAC efficiency. If you notice these issues, it's advisable to have your air ducts professionally inspected and cleaned.

Below is an overview of common signs of dirty air ducts in homes:

1. Dusty Grills

The grill of your air ducts is the point that separates the ductwork from the wall. Your HVAC system is responsible for blowing cool or warm air through these vents into each room. A small amount of dust on these grills is fine; it’s when the dust accumulates into larger amounts that it becomes a sign of dirty air ducts.

Dusty grills start to become an issue when too much dust is being blown through the inside of the air ducts. Wipe down the grill as best as you can and reach out for professional air duct cleaning services. By making routine cleaning for your air ducts a priority, this is less likely to occur.

2. Mold

Not only is mold growth a clear indication it’s time to schedule cleaning services—it can also be harmful. Due to the common occurrence of condensation buildup within the HVAC system, mold can potentially grow near the grills of your air ducts.

Further complicating the issue, once mold spores travel through the vents and into your home, growth can manifest elsewhere. Due to potential health problems for those in the household, any sign of mold growth should be taken seriously and addressed immediately.

3. Bad Allergies

Are allergies spiking out of nowhere? Dirty air ducts could be the culprit. Dirty air ducts carry and push unclean air particles into the rooms of your home, causing allergies to flare. If this sign applies to members of your household, check the air ducts. If they seem dirty, turn to professional air duct cleaning services to improve your indoor air quality.

4. High Utility Bills

Another common sign of dirty air ducts is higher than normal energy bills. As air ducts get dirtier, your furnace and central air conditioning system is forced to work harder, driving up the amount of energy it’s consuming and increasing utility costs.

It’s a common occurrence for homeowners to not realize their air ducts are dirty until the energy bill comes back higher. Have a professional HVAC technician inspect your air ducts to determine if this is indeed the issue—proper solutions can be taken from there.

5. Poor Respiratory Health

Have you or anyone else in your house encountered unexplained poor respiratory health? Maybe a cold that won’t go away or continuous coughing? Harmful contaminants from your air ducts could be the reason. Dust, and other particles stemming from your dirty air ducts can affect indoor air quality and lead to a potential decline in respiratory health.

Don’t let these health effects linger. Get in touch with a professional from our Greenville, SC HVAC company to determine if dirty air ducts are the issue. Proper cleaning measures to improve the air quality of your home can then be taken if that’s indeed the culprit.

6. Bad Air Flow

Sufficient air circulation out of your HVAC system is essential for home comfort. Dirty air ducts can throw a serious wrench in that function. The more dirt and other grime begin to accumulate inside your air ducts, the less airflow you’ll get out of the vents. Stale air, compromised air quality, and other issues are more likely to follow.

Inspect the amount of dirt and debris on the grills to get a better idea if this is the issue. If it is, do your best to clear what you can around the grills and then contact an HVAC expert for an in-depth cleaning of your air ducts.

7. Insect Infestation

One of the more unsightly and repulsive signs of dirty air ducts is an insect infestation. At times, it can be tough to tell if the occurrence of an insect infestation is related to your air ducts or not.

No matter what, it’s important to take immediate action to prevent the insects from causing damage to your home. Turn to an HVAC professional, they’ll be able to determine if the infestation started due to dirty air ducts or elsewhere and follow up with the necessary cleaning procedures.

8. Rats

Making things worse, a rodent infestation is also another possibility. If a rodent infestation has started in your home, it’s a good idea to seek out professional air duct cleaning services as fast as possible. Other issues can arise if a rodent ends up dead within the air duct.

9. HVAC System is No Longer Efficient

Tied to other issues like higher utility bills, dirty air ducts can render your HVAC system inefficient. A properly functioning HVAC system cools and heats your home when you need it.

Dirty air ducts full of dirt and debris force the system to work harder, making it prone to short-cycling, insufficient or uneven comfort, and even a full breakdown. Seek out air duct cleaning services to restore your system’s efficiency.

10. Bad Odors

Bad odors stemming from your air ducts? Musty smells can start when the dust is being burned by the heat of the HVAC system and more foul odors could indicate a dead animal like a rodent. These odors are a clear indication of the need for air duct cleaning services.

Air Duct Cleaning Services

Do you notice these signs of dirty air ducts in your home? Luckily, our team members offer exceptional air duct cleaning services in Greenville, South Carolina and the surrounding locations. We also offer HVAC duct repair services to help fix leaky or damaged ductwork in your house.

If you need support with additional HVAC issues in your home, contact our team to receive support. We also offer a variety of other HVAC solutions including air conditioning repair, geothermal system installation, zone control system replacement, heat pump repair, and furnace installation. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to help you obtain the level of service your home needs for the utmost comfort and functionality.