Clean coils. 15-20% better cooling.
An AC coil that hasn't been cleaned in two years runs 15-20% less efficient than a clean one. You feel that on the August power bill. Real AC coil cleaning, indoor and outdoor, is a 60-90 minute job done with no-rinse coil cleaner, a soft brush, and a way to verify airflow before and after. Not a 10-minute hose-down.
- Indoor + outdoor coil
- No-rinse cleaner
- Airflow verification
- Same-week scheduling
What's included in a AC Coil Cleaning
What our AC coil cleaning service actually covers, on a typical 60-90 minute appointment.
Indoor evaporator coil cleaning
We pull access to the indoor coil, photograph the before condition, apply a no-rinse evaporator coil cleaner, and let it work into the fin pack. Severely fouled coils get a follow-up application. We do not pressure-wash the indoor coil; high-pressure damage to fins is a real failure mode.
Outdoor condenser coil rinse
Outdoor condenser coils get rinsed clean of grass clippings, pollen, lint from dryer vents, and South Houston roof grit. We use a low-pressure garden-hose flow with a fin-comb to straighten any bent fins on the spot. The outdoor coil holds the most accessible particulate and rinses come back to clean fast.
Drain pan + condensate line treatment
Cleaning the coil dislodges biofilm into the drain pan. We flush the condensate line with a wet/dry vacuum, drop in an anti-biofilm tablet, and confirm the drain runs free. Skipping this step is how a coil cleaning becomes a clogged drain a week later.
Airflow + static pressure verification
We measure airflow at the supply registers and static pressure at the air handler before and after. The numbers tell us whether the cleaning actually moved the system back to design spec. You get the before/after measurements in writing.
Filter replacement
Filter goes back in last, replaced with a fresh MERV-11 or MERV-13 if you want the upgrade. A clean coil with a dirty filter goes back to dirty in months. Filter is part of the same job.
When to schedule AC coil cleaning
If your AC has not had a real coil cleaning in 12+ months, it is probably running at 80-85% of design efficiency. Here are the warning signs.
- AC running constantly without keeping up on hot days
- Energy bills climbing year over year with no usage change
- Dust visibly puffing out of the registers when AC kicks on
- Musty smell at startup that persists past 10 minutes
- Outdoor condenser visibly dirty (leaves, grass, pollen, debris)
- It has been more than 12 months since the last cleaning
- You bought the home and do not know its history
- AC is not cooling like it used to
- Indoor humidity stays high even with the AC running
- Filter is dirty within 30 days of changing
How a visit works
Five steps. No surprises. Same on your first call as your fiftieth.
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Book the visit
AC coil cleaning is typically a 60-90 minute appointment. Same-week scheduling spring and fall, faster if you are a Clear Advantage member.
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Pre-clean documentation
We photograph the indoor coil before cleaning and measure baseline airflow + static pressure. The before-state is part of your written record.
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Indoor coil clean
No-rinse cleaner applied to the evaporator coil, allowed to work into the fin pack. Soft fin-comb work where needed. Drain pan flushed.
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Outdoor coil rinse
Garden-hose-pressure rinse of the outdoor condenser. Fin-combing bent fins back into shape. Pad cleared of debris.
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Verify + report
Re-measure airflow and static pressure. You get the before/after numbers and photos in writing. If there is anything else worth flagging, we tell you straight, no upsell pressure.
What Pearland neighbors are saying
"Came home from a beach trip and the AC was barely keeping up at 78. Tech showed me the indoor coil before cleaning, looked like a wool blanket. After cleaning we ran the system and it dropped to 73 in an hour. Same AC, suddenly working again."
"Got the spring tune-up + coil clean as a Clear Advantage member. They showed me before/after photos and airflow readings. Power bill in July was $40 less than the same month last year. The math works."
"Other companies told us we needed a new system. Clear the Air cleaned the coil and fixed the drain line for $200 and the system has been fine for two years since. Honest people."
Frequently asked
How much does AC coil cleaning cost?
A standalone AC coil cleaning runs $150 to $250 for most Pearland-area homes. For Clear Advantage members it is included in the spring tune-up at no extra cost. Severely fouled coils that need extended treatment may run higher; we tell you what we are seeing before extending the bill.
How often should I have my AC coils cleaned?
Once a year is the standard recommendation in Pearland. The South Houston pollen season, summer humidity, and roof grit mean coils foul faster here than in drier climates. Homes with pets, near construction activity, or with heavy yard work nearby may benefit from a mid-summer rinse-only on the outdoor unit.
What happens if I never clean my AC coils?
Three things, in order: efficiency drops 15-20% within 24 months (you pay for it on the power bill), the system runs longer cycles to hit setpoint (which wears the compressor faster), and humidity control degrades (the home feels clammy even when temperature reads right). At 5+ years uncleaned, the coil often needs replacement instead of cleaning. Replacement runs $1,400-$2,800. Cleaning runs $150-$250.
Can I clean my AC coils myself?
You can rinse the outdoor condenser coil yourself with a garden hose if you turn the system off first and use low pressure. Avoid pressure washers; they bend fins and the damage drops efficiency permanently. Indoor evaporator coil cleaning needs panel removal, no-rinse cleaner, and condensate line follow-up. We do not recommend DIY on the indoor coil.
Will AC coil cleaning fix my high humidity?
Often yes. A fouled evaporator coil cannot pull moisture from the air efficiently. Cleaning frequently restores dehumidification to design spec. If the home stays humid even with a clean coil, the AC is oversized (short-cycling without dehumidifying) and the fix is right-sized replacement equipment, not more cleaning.
Is AC coil cleaning the same as duct cleaning?
No. AC coil cleaning is the evaporator coil, condenser coil, and drain pan, the parts of the system that get dirty in normal use. Duct cleaning is the supply and return ducts, which rarely need cleaning if humidity is controlled. We do AC coil cleaning routinely; we are skeptical of duct cleaning unless there is visible mold or a specific reason.
How does AC coil cleaning fit with the Clear Advantage membership?
Coil cleaning is included in the spring AC tune-up that comes with every Clear Advantage membership ($25/month or $300/year). That is one of the two seasonal visits, plus the fall heating-side visit. Most members never pay for a standalone coil cleaning because it is bundled with the membership.