Cost to Clean AC Coils
It’ll cost anywhere from $100 to $400 to clean your AC coils as a standalone service. For highest system efficiency, get this done every year and up to once per month. Condenser coil cleaning, the one located outside your home, happens during your annual AC tuneup for $75 to $200. As a separate service, duct cleaning costs $250 to $500 and covers the evaporator coil, located in the air handler inside your home.
Coils work to absorb heat into the refrigerant that flows through it, moving heat from one location to another. For air conditioning, the evaporator coil inside the air handler in your home absorbs heat. It then transfers the heat outside to the condenser coil where it releases it. The opposite process happens for heat pumps. When the coils get dusty and dirty, it reduces how well these components work.
HVAC Evaporator Coil Cleaning Cost
Evaporator coil cleaning costs $100 to $400. It costs more just because it’s tough to access. You’ll find it housed inside the air handler near your furnace (or inside your ductwork if you only have AC).
Cleaning in Place vs. Removal of the Evaporator Coil
In rare cases, when dirt has gotten so thick that it needs a manual clean, you’ll need to remove it.. In this case, you can expect to pay $400 to $700. You can avoid this by changing your filters monthly and having regular cleanings.
AC Condenser Coil Cleaning Cost
Cleaning the condenser coil in the outdoor unit costs $50 to $100. It’s easy to access and clean with chemicals and a standard garden hose. It’s also easy to damage the fins and other components if you don’t know what you’re doing.
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Combining AC Coil Cleaning Costs with Other Services
You can save a bit of that $100 to $400 it costs to clean your coils by combining this with other services. In most cases, you can have both coils cleaned as part of two other services:
- Annual AC service costs $75-$200. However, you might pay a bit more to have the evaporator coil cleaned.
- Duct cleaning costs $250-$500. It almost always covers the evaporator coil, but rarely the outdoor condenser.
DIY vs. Hire a Professional
DIYing coils isn’t a tough job, but you run a high risk of damaging the fins and you’ll probably miss any leaks or other maintenance issues. Hiring a pro costs only a couple hundred while replacing a coil might run you $2,000. Don’t risk the bill, hire an HVAC professional near you today.
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How often should evaporator coils be cleaned?
You can expect to clean your evaporator coils anywhere from once a month to once a year or as needed. Get a yearly HVAC inspection or AC tuneup to know for sure. It really depends on:
- How often you run the system.
- How often you change your filter.
- The quality of your filter.
- How clean your home is.
How do you clean an evaporator coil?
Always have a pro clean your evaporator coil because they’re easy to damage and expensive to replace. After opening the access panel in your air handler, you have three options:
- Use compressed air. But be careful not to damage the fins.
- Use a brush. Also watch out not to damage the fins.
- Use commercial cleaners. Always check to make sure the drain flows freely before attempting.
How much does it cost to get your HVAC serviced?
A total annual HVAC tuneup, which covers cleaning the coils and all checking up on both the AC and furnace, runs anywhere from $150 to $500 annually.
What is the best cleaner for air conditioner coils?
The best cleaner for air conditioner coils is a foaming chemical cleaner specifically produced and labeled for that purpose.
How much does furnace coil cleaning cost?
Furnace coil cleaning costs the same since it’s just another name for the evaporator coil or $200 to $400. Evaporator coils, the ones placed in an air handler directly in line with the furnace, hook up to an AC system or heat pump.
