The Case for Steam Cleaning HVAC Coils

Traditionally, HVAC contractors, maintenance, and homeowners alike have turned to coil cleaner and water to clean condenser and evaporative HVAC coils, but over the last decade, steam cleaning has emerged as an alternative — offering water conservation, chemical-free sanitation, and enhanced system performance.

“I truly believe that steam cleaning can have a transformative impact on sustainability practices,” said Yujin Anderson, CEO of Steamericas. When Anderson launched Steamericas’ US operations in 2010, she quickly realized the technology’s vast potential.

Initially used in car washes, Steamericas’ steamers are now applied in food and beverage manufacturing, HVAC, power plants, and even nuclear facilities. This cross-industry adoption underscores steam’s promise as a future-focused, eco-friendly cleaning method. 

Steam requires very little to no preparation prior to cleaning or sanitizing. And Steamericas’ steamer, the Optima, is pressurized and heated to 352°F, making it ready to steam all day in as little as 6 minutes. Steam can penetrate 8″ to 12″ into the coils, while coil cleaning foam will only penetrate 1/2″.

Remediation companies cleaning hoods for restaurants increasingly use steam-powered implements to keep the water bill low. For HVAC contractors, it offers them a more efficient piece of equipment that homeowners wouldn’t pay the $1,000-plus price tag for, differentiating their service for a task that discerning consumers may otherwise take on themselves.

The Benefits of Steam Cleaning for HVAC

1. Water Conservation: Steam cleaning uses significantly less water than pressure washing. This is particularly important for HVAC companies seeking to reduce their environmental impact, who may not have access to much water or may even lack the hot water needed for mucked up condenser coils.
2. Chemical-Free: Steam eliminates the need for chemicals that can contaminate systems and potentially irritate building occupants. In HVAC, where coil cleanliness directly affects air quality, this is a significant advantage.
3. Efficient Coil Cleaning: Coils are prone to mold and bacterial growth when not properly sanitized. Steam cleaning provides an efficient way to decontaminate coils without disassembly, preserving system efficiency and air quality.
4. No overspray: The evaporative A coil, or evaporative coils in restaurant walk-in coolers, are difficult to reach and cannot be completely disassembled without significant downtime that customers can’t afford. This leads to over spraying water and threatens rust in conventional cleaning scenarios. 
5. Enhanced Safety: By reducing excess water, steam cleaning minimizes the risk of slips and falls, creating a safer working environment for technicians.

While steam cleaning shows promise, its widespread adoption in HVAC will depend on factors like cost, accessibility, and industry standards. As companies weigh the benefits against potential challenges, steam cleaning is likely to remain a topic of interest in the conversation around sustainable HVAC practices.