AIR CONDITIONING, COOLING & VENTILATION The energy-saving power of coil cleaning
Alex Lear, regional service sales manager, Carrier Commercial HVAC, explores how high-pressure water cleaning can be a cost-effective way to enhance outdoor HVAC system performance
O
utdoor HVAC units in commercial buildings are regularly exposed to the elements. Over time, that exposure can quietly undermine system
efficiency. While everything on the surface appears to be working fine, hidden inefficiencies are building up. One of the most overlooked issues is dirty condenser coils. Condenser coils are responsible for rejecting heat from chillers, dry air coolers and heat pumps. When they become clogged with debris, pollen, hydrocarbons and general pollution, performance begins to decline. This forces equipment to work harder to achieve the same output, drawing more energy and increasing the risk of failure. But it’s easy to miss how quickly coils can foul, and just how easily efficiency can be improved with the right maintenance approach.
Why coil cleanliness matters more than you think
The impact of dirty coils on HVAC performance can be significant. Studies from ASHRAE suggest that fouled coils can increase energy use by as much as 30%, largely due to reduced heat transfer and increased compressor workload. This not only drives up electricity bills but also places greater strain on critical components which can lead to longer runtimes, overheating and eventually breakdowns. HVAC equipment located near trees, exhaust outlets, construction zones or busy roads are particularly vulnerable to coil fouling. In these environments, even new equipment can see performance degrade within a year of commissioning.
A clean coil, by contrast, supports efficient heat rejection, lower head pressures and improved refrigerant flow. This translates to more stable internal temperatures, better humidity control and smoother operation. High pressure water cleaning (HPWC) is an effective service that helps recover efficiency, reduce running costs and extend equipment life, all without expensive replacements or extended downtime.
The low CapEx, high-return solution you’ve been missing
Today, energy efficiency and carbon reduction are important business goals. While new technologies and system upgrades can help meet these goals, there is a quicker and more affordable ways to unlock performance improvements. High pressure water cleaning is one such solution. It requires no new parts, no major disruption and no long-term planning cycles. Compared to the capital expenditure of replacing a compressor or even an entire chiller, the operational cost of a HPWC service is minimal. Yet the results can be immediate and measurable and include reduced energy usage, better temperature control and fewer service call outs.
It’s an ideal intervention for organisations managing older equipment, seasonal demand fluctuations or tighter budgets. HPWC enables assets to work more efficiently, often achieving performance levels close to new units for a fraction of the price it would cost to replace old with new.
What is high pressure water cleaning?
HPWC is a controlled, non-invasive cleaning method designed specifically for air-to-air heat exchangers such as condenser coils. The process begins with the application of a specialist detergent using a low-pressure spray, helping to break down contaminants. This is followed by a high-pressure rinse using targeted jets of water, carefully tailored to the footprint and design of each coil. Unlike aggressive mechanical cleaning or basic hose-downs, HPWC is designed to restore coils to near-original condition without causing damage. An endoscopic inspection is carried out before and after cleaning, with photographic evidence used to demonstrate the level of fouling and the effectiveness of the clean. A full report is typically provided for site records and maintenance tracking. It’s not only chillers that benefit. HPWC can be applied to dry air coolers, heat pumps, rooftop units and any system that relies on external coil surfaces.
HPWC restores coils at a global engineering HQ
Earlier this year, a high-profile engineering firm approached Carrier to strengthen its HVAC maintenance approach. The organisation’s headquarters house critical R&D facilities, testing environments and hospitality spaces, all of which depend on precise climate control.
14 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OCTOBER 2025
Following the installation of a new chiller, Carrier engineers were asked to assess the performance of the wider HVAC estate. The site included two older chillers and a dry air cooler, all located near trees and exhaust vents. Following an inspection, it became clear that the condenser coils were heavily fouled with debris and organic matter. With the summer season approaching, the risk of cooling failures and energy spikes was too great to ignore. Carrier recommended a full HPWC service across all three units. The service was completed swiftly, with before-and-after endoscopic evidence shared with the client to validate results.
Carrier successfully removed dirt from the heat exchangers, helping to restore system performance. By restoring the condenser coils to a clean, efficient state, airflow was improved, and static pressure was reduced. This allowed fans to operate as intended, achieve their cooling targets, use less energy and experience less mechanical strain. This also meant there were reduced compressor run times and workload, cutting unnecessary energy consumption, potentially by as much as 30%.
An HVAC upgrade you may not have considered
Dirty coils aren’t a one-off issue; they’re a daily reality for many outdoor systems. And yet, many facilities continue to run sub-optimally, paying more for energy and risking expensive failures. High pressure water cleaning is available to every commercial building owner looking to restore their HVAC equipment’s performance, reduce operational risk and supports ESG goals. If your chillers haven’t had a deep clean in the past year, now’s the time. When you see the difference, you’ll realise the answers were in the dirt all along.
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