Air conditioners don’t last forever — and they definitely don’t run at peak efficiency when neglected. Every year, I get calls from homeowners with sky-high energy bills and underperforming AC systems. I specialize in furnace, ac, and water heater replacements for the Denver Metro area, and do not offer maintenance or repair. Even though I don’t offer this maintenance service, I do want to help homeowners avoid premature failure whenever possible. More often than not, catastrophic ac issues can be avoided by removing dirt.
Specifically, dirt on your AC coil.
What’s So Special About a Clean Coil?
Your air conditioner relies on its coils to transfer heat. That’s its entire job — pull heat out of your home and dump it outside. But when those coils are covered in dust, pollen, or even a nice layer of mold and grime, that heat transfer slows down. The system has to run longer and harder to hit your set temperature.
Longer run times mean more electricity. More electricity means higher bills. And more wear and tear.
How Much Money Are We Talking?
Let’s not sugarcoat it — dirty coils cost you money. According to the Department of Energy, neglecting your coils can increase your energy use by up to 30%.
Here’s what that looks like in real dollars:
- Say your AC uses 3,000 kWh a year
- With electricity averaging $0.15 per kWh, that’s $450 a year
Now, throw in a dirty coil:
- A 30% efficiency loss = an extra 900 kWh
- That’s $135 wasted each year just because of gunk on your coils
And that’s assuming everything else is working perfectly — which, let’s be honest, it usually isn’t.
Hidden Costs: More Than Just Your Power Bill
The dollar amount on your utility bill is just the beginning. A struggling AC unit puts extra stress on every component: motors, compressors, capacitors, you name it. That stress adds up. You’re more likely to be calling us for a mid-July emergency repair — right when parts are backordered and labor’s at a premium.
A neglected coil might save you a hundred bucks on maintenance this spring — but cost you a thousand later.
When Should You Clean It?
Once a year. Ideally before summer hits. If you’re going to have a professional out for a tune-up, make sure coil cleaning is part of it. Some companies skip it unless you ask. You can easily do this yourself as well with your garden hose. The exception would be if you have pet air matting on the coil or tree pollen. First you need to carefully brush the debris off your condenser coil. Then grab a can or two of HVAC condensed coil cleaner from a hardware store and spray your coil thoroughly with the cleaner.
Bottom Line
If your AC is more than a few years old, coil cleaning is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to keep it running efficiently. Skip it, and you’re throwing money at the power company — and gambling with your system’s health when you need it most.