Do coated coils require more frequent cleaning than non-coated coils?
A. Equal cleaning is required to both coated and uncoated coils. Dirt and airborne particulate attach to the coil and need to be washed of on a regular basis to maintain optimum operating efficiency. Power utility companies are strong advocates of regular coil cleaning and coil coatings to reduce unnecessary energy consumption through inefficient exchange of air-cooled coils. Equipment manufacturer and energy experts agree that ALL coils should be cleaned 2-3 times each year. Even though a coil is coated, dirt and debris can still cause a coil not to operate efficiently. Many utilities, such as the Jacksonville Electric Authority, have hints for homeowners on their websites. The JEA offers a free booklet called “Power for Pennies,” where they recommend coil cleaning as well as coil coating to protect fin tube coils and keep them energy efficient.
