7 Signs That It’s Time to Clean Your Air Conditioner

HVAC experts recommend you schedule an AC tune-up every spring before you ever run your air. A primary reason for this is to ensure that your equipment is as clean as possible. A dirty AC can cause many problems. Let’s explore them so you can identify when it’s time to clean your system.

1. Spike in Your Electricity Consumption

You should know how much electricity your household uses each month. One reason for this is that a spike is often the first sign that your AC needs cleaning. There are two key components that every central AC has: a condenser coil and an evaporator coil. The condenser coil is outdoors, where it can accumulate significant grime. It’s responsible for transferring heat energy from the refrigerant to the ambient air. As it gets dirty, that process becomes less efficient, and energy consumption increases. The evaporator coil, which is indoors, is similar. It can build up dust and microbial growth over time, which interferes with transferring heat energy to the refrigerant, thereby making the system more expensive to run.

2. Leaves and Branches in Your Outdoor Unit

The outdoor unit houses not only the condenser coil but the condenser pump and fan. Keeping it as clean as possible will help your AC remain efficient between seasonal tune-ups. It’s why HVAC experts recommend maintaining a 1-foot or greater perimeter around the unit. You should also check the unit regularly. If there’s a substantial accumulation of leaves, branches and other debris around or on it, your system needs some TLC.

3. Excessive Dust Accumulation

No matter how clean you keep your home, dust will accumulate in your AC system over time. Having your equipment cleaned regularly is one reason experts recommend routine maintenance. You’ll know it’s past time for cleaning if you can see tufts of dust coming through the vents. You should also keep an eye on your HVAC filter. Check it at least once a month and swap it out as needed. If you find the filter is clogging faster than normal, it could indicate that your system needs professional service.

4. Unpleasant Odors When Your AC Kicks On

As mentioned, microbial growth can accumulate on your evaporator coil over time. Air passes over this coil for cooling and will pick up smells from this growth. You can often smell a burst of it when the system turns on, and it will fade as the system is running. When the system turns on again later, you’ll smell it again. Another potential issue is dust accumulating in your ducts. It can give off smells in a similar way. Those smells can vary depending on what the dust is absorbing. Mustiness usually indicates excess moisture in the home.

5. Warm Spots or Other Temperature Differences

Dust accumulation in your system can affect airflow. This includes buildup on your evaporator coil and in your ducts, as well as the air handler, condenser unit and other components. You may feel this as weak airflow coming from your vents. Eventually, that weak airflow will manifest in various ways throughout your home. A common problem is warm spots in rooms. You may have an entire room that feels warmer than the others. Another telltale sign is a temperature difference of 2 degrees or more between floors.

6. Unusual Noises

Whistling at a supply vent typically means the filter is dirty. A dirty compressor unit can cause loud noises and excessive vibrations as it turns on and cycles down. Accumulation within the air handler and particularly the blower can lead to a wide range of strange noises. Rumbling in your ducts can be because of an accumulation of dust that’s restricting airflow.

7. Frequent Cycling

An AC that turns on and off frequently is short cycling. Short cycling has a wide range of causes, but restricted airflow because of a dirty system is prominent. Even a clogged supply vent filter can cause it. Airflow restriction in the outdoor unit can cause it and may eventually lead to the unit icing over. You can also experience this because of the air handler or evaporator coil limiting airflow.

Do You Need Your Palm Desert AC Cleaned?

Breeze Air Conditioning has served homeowners in Palm Desert and beyond since 1989. Our NATE-certified technicians clean air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits and all other cooling and heating technologies. We install and service them, too, along with smart thermostats, air purifiers and humidifiers. If you’d like to learn more about our products and services or want to schedule an appointment, call today, or contact us online.

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