Many people don't realize the effect coiling cleaning has on the environment. Coils are a key component of any air conditioning system. When your coils are maintained in good condition, then your HVAC system will run at peak efficiency. However, if your coils are in poor condition, they're going to cause many problems. Because everything in your unit is connected, when one thing isn't working properly, like a chain reaction, it negatively affects every other part, causing the unit to either slow down and use an outlandish amount of energy (something we never want for the environment), or break down completely (something we never want for you and your family). 1. Dirty coils will increase operating costs. When a coil becomes filthy it cannot provide the designed heat transfer, causing higher discharge pressure and more electricity usage and costs. In fact, case studies show that dirty HVAC coils can increase energy consumption by 37% over clean coils. Consider what that's doing to the environment. This wasteful energy could have been avoided with a simple coil cleaning. 2. Dirty coils will reduce cooling. All the grime and dirt collected by the coils restricts heat transfer by acting as an unwanted insulator, causing the compressor to work much harder. This, in turn, adds more heat to the system. Think of it as your car overheating. You wouldn't want to drive a car with smoke coming out of its hood, would you? This extra heat can raise the head pressure by as much as 75%, which can result in a loss of up to 30% of the system's cooling capacity. When it's 95 degrees outside (or warmer), you are going to significantly notice that loss of cool air. 3. Dirty coils will affect air quality. The indoor coil, or evaporator coil, presents huge concerns that go way beyond all the issues we previously discussed - it affects your family's health. A dirty evaporator coil creates a breeding ground for mold and bacteria that can impact indoor air quality. Cleaning the evaporator coil will prevent bacteria growth and is critical to maintaining good air quality, something that is crucial for the health of yourself and your family. I hope we've showed you the importance of preventative coil maintenance. Clean coils mean more efficient air conditioning units which, in turn, lead to less energy usage and strain on the environment. Call (212)983-3330 or visit http://www.interstateair.com for additional information and more articles about helpful health and HVAC tips. Interstate Air is located at 1133 Broadway, Suite 706, New York, NY 10010 Raymond Kishk is co-owner Interstate Air Conditioning and Heating, New York, N.Y.