Vacuum Cleaner with Brush Attachment: Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove loose debris from the coil before applying the cleaner. Flashlight: A flashlight will help you see the coil clearly, ensuring thorough cleaning.
This is totally cleanable. Try using a brush with a commercial coil cleaner or make one at home. You only need detergent and warm water. Mix them together and spray evenly on your evaporator coils. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then wipe off with a piece of cloth. Repeat the process and you should be good to go.
To clean your car's AC evaporator without removing it from your car, remove the glovebox and HVAC box cover. Use compressed air and a vacuum to clear dirt and debris.
Remove the access panel to expose the coil. If the coils are coated with dirt or lint, vacuum them with a soft brush attachment. If the coils are coated with oil or grease, clean them with a mild detergent and water solution and rinse. Be careful not to splash water on insulation.
Afterwards, fill the second spray bottle with a half-and-half mixture of white vinegar and distilled water. Use this bottle to spray the solution onto the evaporator coil.
Mix a simple detergent and warm water in a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Spray the solution onto the evaporator coils and give it a few minutes to soak in and loosen the dirt and debris. Wipe away any loosened material with a soft brush or cloth and reapply as needed.
Never use acid-type cleaners indoors. Always spray downwind when cleaning outdoor condenser coils. Use a gentle hose nozzle to rinse off chemical cleaners, never a high-powered pressure washer.
The AC coil cleaning cost is around $100 to $400 as of 2024, according to Homeguide (for an evaporator coil), and up to $700 to remove and clean the coil. Cleaning the condenser coil costs $75 to $230.
You can either use a commercial coil cleaner or make your own by mixing water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the coils and let it sit for five to ten minutes to break down any stubborn dirt.
Spray throttle/carburetor cleaner onto the Solenoid Valve, making sure that the cleaning agent reaches all internal parts of the valve. Let the cleaning agent sit for a few minutes, so any dirt or debris found inside dissolves properly. You can now gently shake the valve to remove any stubborn particles.
Even in cars that automatically clear the P0455 code, don't expect the code to be cleared right away. The EVAP system checks for leaks while you drive your car for some time, so you'll probably need to drive for a while before the check engine light turns off and the code is cleared.
Accessing Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coil of a split-system A/C is located inside the air handler, which is typically found in the utility closet, garage, basement or attic. There should be a removable access panel on the air handler that exposes the evaporator coil.
How Long Must I Wait After Coil Cleaning Before Turning On The Air Conditioner? Before using the air conditioner, make sure it is totally dry. After cleaning the coils, wait 30 to 60 minutes before turning on the air conditioner.
Coils should be cleaned regularly to ensure that they stay in excellent condition and free of leaks. Cleaning your AC's evaporator coils is a task that you can try tackling yourself or if you feel more comfortable contact an experienced air conditioning company near you to help you.
If proper maintenance is regularly performed, then the evaporator coils should last 10 to 15 years, which is the ideal lifetime for an evaporator coil and comparable to the lifespan of an AC unit. However, how long your evaporator coils last will be much shorter if your unit is improperly maintained.
Considering the extended system lifespan, sustained energy efficiency, lower operating costs, better comfort and reduced potential for extensive repair work, AC coil cleaning is a cost-effective way to care for your system.
A dirty evaporator coil cannot absorb warm air that flows over it. Instead, the cold refrigerant running through the coil causes it to freeze. If you see ice around the refrigerant line or puddles of water near the blower, turn off your AC. A frozen coil can cause the compressor to overheat and burn out.
According to the lawsuits, the coils were too thin and couldn't stand up to the pressure the units regularly put out. This supposedly would cause corrosion and cracks to form in the coils, which could eventually lead to leaking refrigerant (Freon).
While Dawn dish soap is a versatile cleaning agent, it's not recommended for cleaning AC coils due to its chemical composition. Household cleaners like Dawn may not effectively remove stubborn buildup and could potentially harm the coils or other components of the system.