Maintaining Heat Exchangers & Coils To Get Your HVAC System Ready for Winter
Commercial HVAC systems rely on heat exchangers and coils to transfer heat in and out of the conditioned space. Heat exchangers are typically heated by natural gas burners, warming the air as it circulates through the heat exchanger, while coils carry a refrigerant, and air traveling over the coils is used to transfer heat to or from the refrigerant.
Keeping the coils or heat exchangers clean and in good condition is essential to the efficiency and performance of the HVAC system.
The Importance of HVAC Coil Cleaning
HVAC coils need to be cleaned to work properly. Any dust, debris, or fluids on the coils could act as insulation, reducing the efficiency of the heat transfer process.
If the coils aren’t cleaned often enough, the efficiency of the HVAC equipment will decline and utility bills will increase. Layers of dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and other particulates on the evaporator coil could also reduce air quality, affecting the health of building occupants.
Excessive debris on either the evaporator or condenser coils could trap moisture, leading to corrosion of the coils, leaks, or even premature failure. As the system loses its ability to shed heat effectively, components like the compressor could overheat, causing excess wear and a shortened service life.
Ideally, condenser and evaporator coils should be cleaned at least once a year. A thorough HVAC coil cleaning just before summer can help an air conditioner operate as efficiently as possible, while heat pump coils should be cleaned just before the heating season and the cooling season.
When Should You Replace Your Coils?
A lack of coil cleaning and maintenance could allow the coil to corrode and degrade over time. A damaged evaporator coil or condenser coil can significantly impact the performance of an HVAC system. If the damage isn’t discovered soon enough, it can affect other parts of the system, leaving no other options but a full HVAC replacement.
To prevent the damage that a bad coil can cause, it’s good to have the coils inspected at the end of the cooling season after they’ve been pushed at their hardest to keep the building cool during summer. Replacing the coils before winter will ensure the HVAC system is prepared to keep your building as comfortable as possible through winter. Most coils have a life span of 10 to 15 years, while some can last 20 years or longer.
Maintaining Your Heat Exchanger
In a commercial HVAC system, a heat exchanger allows burners fueled by natural gas, oil, or other fuels to heat air indirectly, passing it through a series of tubes or passages that can absorb the heat without drawing in dangerous combustion gases like carbon monoxide.
Properly inspecting and maintaining the heat exchanger is essential to the health and safety of the building’s occupants, as well as the performance of the heating system. Before winter sets in, it’s important to clean the heat exchanger and check for things like damaged coatings, cracks, pinhole leaks, dents, faulty seals, or other damage.
Too much dirt or soot on the heat exchanger can prevent it from absorbing heat properly, reducing HVAC efficiency. More importantly, any leaks can allow combustion gases to enter the conditioned space, and in high enough concentrations, they can cause illness or death.
Trust AFGO For All Your Coil & Heat Exchanger Needs in NYC
Make sure your commercial HVAC system is ready for the winter with coil and heat exchanger maintenance from AFGO Mechanical. Our skilled technicians can take care of all the inspections, care, and maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment, ensuring it’s operating at its best before the cold weather sets in.
We also offer heat exchanger and coil replacements through our in-house coil division, Berdell Industries. Whether you need replacement HVAC coils, optimization of existing coils, custom coils, tube bundles, or a new heat exchanger, you can count on AFGO for fast and reliable coil design, delivery, and servicing. We offer replacement HVAC coils of all sizes and provide a five-year limited warranty on all our coils.
Call AFGO today at (718) 478-5555 or contact us online to schedule your HVAC coil inspection in the NYC metro area, from Manhattan and Queens to Brooklyn, the Bronx, and beyond.
