If your air conditioner isn't as energy-efficient as it used to be, you'll probably have higher energy bills. If your AC is running longer or working harder to keep you cool, you may want to call an AC repair company to find the source of the problem.

High energy bills are bad enough, but the problem might even be damaging your AC. An example is dirty condenser coils. Here's how a simple problem like this can lead to the need for AC repairs and how you can keep this from happening to you.

Why Dirty Condenser Coils Are Bad For Your AC

Refrigerant flows through the condenser coils in your AC, and a fan blows across the coils to cool off the refrigerant so it can circulate back inside your house to pick up more heat and cool off your home. If the refrigerant can't cool down as much as it should due to dirty coils, then your home won't be as cool. Your air conditioner will need to run longer, and that drives up your power bill.

The temperature inside the condenser gets warmer too, and both that and a longer runtime put strain on parts like the fan motor and compressor. These parts can often be repaired, but sometimes, as in the case of a compressor, it may be necessary for the AC repair technician to replace the part, and that can be expensive. By keeping the condenser coils clean, your AC can have a longer life and be less expensive to operate.

How To Prevent Dirt Buildup On The Coils

One thing you can do is keep weeds and branches away from the condenser so bits of leaves don't get inside and stick to the coils or block the fins on the sides. While you probably want grass around the condenser so dirt and soil don't blow inside, consider putting a border of gravel next to the unit so grass clippings don't get blown on the coils.

How An AC Repair Technician Can Fix Dirty Coils

If the coils are coated with dirt, grass clippings, and other debris, the coils need to be cleaned off without delay. An AC technician can clean the coils and then check on parts that might have been affected or strained due to a poorly working condenser unit.

Cleaning the coils is best done with a coil brush and fin brush so the delicate fins and coils aren't damaged in the process. The technician may use foaming coil cleaner to lift off dirt so it can be washed away. When the coils are clean, the technician may check the capacitor, compressor, and fan motor parts to ensure your AC is working properly.

You should notice an improvement when your air conditioner is turned back on. Your home may feel cooler and your air conditioner may run for shorter periods each time. A dirty condenser coil isn't the only reason your AC can't keep your home cool, but it's a common one and something an AC repair technician can easily fix.