Why Is My Evaporator Getting Clogged?

Sediment

• Some of the most subtle clogs in an evaporator occur on the inside. The evaporator tends to condense a lot of water when it is working, due to the heat flows it creates, and this water needs to be safely drained away. Trace amounts of dirt within the water, however, can slowly block the drainage line over time, leading to a slowdown and finally a clog of the system.

Drain Debris

• Drain debris can also come from the outside, especially if the drain pan or the drainage grate for your evaporator is open to the air. In this case, dirt and leaves can spread into the drainage line and block it. This causes water to build up and start leaking out of the evaporator. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest clogs to monitor and clean away.

Ice

• Ice can also build up on the evaporator, which can cause similar problems. First, if it is too cold outside ice can build up on the coils themselves, blocking heat flow and reducing efficiency, especially if the evaporator cannot properly perform a thawing cycle. Second, snow and ice can also block the drainage system, making it difficult for the evaporator to get rid of the excess water that is causing the coil problems.

Evaporator Coils

• Ice is not the only element that can cause clog problems. The evaporator coils can also become clogged by ordinary dirt and dust floating through the air. Over time, this dust can settle on the coils and develop a film. As the film gathers oil and grows thicker, the evaporator will not be able to perform as well and will cost more money in heating bills.