Cleaning Evaporator Coils are Easy, But How Many Can Do It Correctly?

Anyone can clean an evaporator coil, but how many can do it right?  The answer to this question is; not many.  This is one of those basic tasks that seams easy and as with all things that appear simple on the surface, but without the proper training and professional equipment it can be messed up blink of an eye.  The conventional chemical foaming agent cleaning method is an ABC step that takes 10-15 minutes of a technicians time; however coils over 4”-14” all the foaming agent is doing is pushing the debris deeper into the coil causing air flow problems, cooling problems, comfort problems and indoor air quality problems. The surface of the coil looks clean though deep in the coil billions of spores and particulate continue to thrive.

The first item is coil cleaning chemicals. Every air conditioning service truck has at least four or five plastic jugs of assorted coil cleaning solutions. Each has a label that includes information concerning the products use, safety precautions, and some form of slick "snake oil" type advertising that promises bright, shiny coils with minimal effort. No matter, no one ever reads them effectively, instead they pick the cleaner by color; pink for light dirt, blue for heavier dirt, yellow for coils located near kitchen exhaust fans and away they go.  15 minutes later they are done and on their way.  What a tragedy.  All they’ve done is cause a worse condition before they started.

Chemicals should never be used on corrosive coated coils such as E- Coat coils, Heresite coated coils, Luvata, Technicoat, etc... just to name a few. Using the wrong coil cleaner or process on these coils can destroy the protective coating and possibly the coil itself. The easy way to remember what type of cleaner to use is to not use any cleaner at all if you can help it!

One of the best ways to professionally clean evaporator coils is by using superheated steam to clean their heat exchangers (heating and cooling coils) utilizing the Pure-Steam process made it possible to effectively remove dust and associated biofilm lodged deep in the fins. This process known as “PURE-Steam Sterilization Cleaning Process” saves labor and materials, is chemical free, cleans deeper and better, kills and removes bacterial and fungal growth and sterilizes the coils in the process. The final product affords increased heat transfer efficiency and reduces the energy needed to move the air across the coils.

When Charlotte County School District went searching for additional ways for the school district to save energy/money all the while helping to improve indoor air quality was when Don Terry, Manager Maintenance, Charlotte County School District sought the professional IAQ services of Pure Air Control Services and the PURE-Steam coil cleaning (No Chemicals) process.

Mr. Terry stated that “The Pure-Steam Coil Cleaning (PSCC) process is absolutely remarkable.  We have been cleaning our coils the conventional way for many years with chemicals and water and we never were able to get the coils as clean as we would like to have oftentimes still leaving an odor.  The Pure-Steam Coil Cleaning process is all natural (no chemicals), actually sterilizes our coils using 300 degree steam getting our coils sparking clean like never before, our static pressure is now back to manufacturer spec, we are getting better air flow and increase of cooling capacity.”

Additionally, it is a good idea to inspect the air handler and air ducts before you start remodeling, reconstruction or installing a new air handling system.  Chances are that the air duct systems have not been cleaned since they were built or if they were they most likely were not done professionally.  Oftentimes original construction debris, sanded sheetrock, molding or ceiling and wall texture overspray, is still in the duct 20 to 30 years later. Environmental constituents such as mold, bacteria, mycotoxins and endotoxins exist in the air ducts a result of neglect often spewing spores into the occupied spaces.  The amount of debris removed from HVAC system can be astonishing, oftentimes 10’s of pounds of debris removed most of which is allergy causing to building occupants.

HVAC systems have a significant effect on the health, comfort, and productivity of occupants.  Issues like user discomfort, improper ventilation, and poor indoor air quality are linked to HVAC system design and operation and can be improved by professional environmental cleaning.

Contact Cy Garner or Doug Randall at 1-800-422-7873 ext 804 to discuss your next IAQ HVAC cleaning project and find our how much you can save and improve your IAQ.

About Pure Air Control Services:

Pure Air Control Services, Inc. was founded in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm today sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation.

Pure Air Control Services is a national provider of the following IAQ services: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check, Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) an AIHA accredited micro laboratory (USP 797 Lab analysis); DIY IAQ Green Check test kits, Environmental Project Management; HVAC System Cleaning, PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning and Mold Remediation Services among other indoor environmental services.

The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air the reliable industry leader.

For more information on Pure Air Control Services contact Alan Wozniak or Dr. Rajiv Sahay at 1-800-422-7873

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