There are several methods for heating a home, including solar panels, furnaces, and heat pumps, each with unique benefits. Heat pumps are increasingly popular due to their high energy efficiency and dual functionality: they heat and cool a home. They work by transferring heat from one location to another rather than generating it. During cold months, heat pumps extract heat from the outside air (or the ground in geothermal models) and pump it indoors, while in summer the process reverses to provide air conditioning. This requires less energy than traditional heating methods and can help reduce your energy costs at home.

A heat pump system has two main coils: the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil. Together, these coils facilitate heat transfer and air circulation. To maintain efficiency and extend the life of your system, you should clean the outdoor coil regularly. Accumulation of dirt and debris can impede airflow, reduce heat exchange, compromise system performance and ultimately send your skyrocketing heating bill.

The first and most important step in cleaning your heat pump coils is to turn off the power to the outdoor unit using the shutoff box. If there is no shutdown box, disconnect power at the circuit breaker. Be sure to check that it is completely off by trying to turn it on before proceeding with the cleaning steps.

After verifying that the power is off, start by removing any debris from around the outdoor unit. Remove any leaves, branches or dirt that could obstruct airflow around the coil. Next, open the exterior panel of the heat pump to access the condenser coil. Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush attachment to gently remove dust and dirt from the surface of the coil. Avoid using sharp tools, which could damage the delicate fins of the coil.

After that, apply a coil cleaning solution carefully following the product instructions. You can also make your own solution by mixing a mild detergent with water. Let the cleaner sit for the specified time to remove any stubborn dirt or grime. Next, gently rinse the coil with water – be careful not to use high pressure which could bend the fins. Finally, inspect the fins of both coils. If any fins are bent, straighten them using a fin comb, a tool that aligns the fins to ensure optimal airflow.

Regularly clean your AC coils will help keep your system running efficiently, improve indoor air quality, and extend the life of your equipment. Try cleaning the coils at least twice a year, ideally before the start of each heating or cooling season, for best results.