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Cleaning outside A/C compressor fins??

BilljustBill | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on June 10, 2009 12:52pm

After disconnecting the power to the outside A/C compressor unit, I’d like to clean the fins.

What soap/cleaner would you use with the garden hose water to clean those thin fins?

Thanks,

Bill

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  1. Jay20 | Jun 10, 2009 01:36am | #1

    Kill the power as you indicated. Make a soap mixture with water in a garden sprayer and spray the fins from the outside.  Use hot water and let it sit for a few seconds. Next remove the top and use a hose on low to medium pressure from the inside and spray outward. You must be careful not to bend the fins. Know where the electrical controls are at and keep the water away from them. Use paper towels and spray cleaner and clean the fan blade. Reassemble and you should be good to go.

  2. DaveRicheson | Jun 10, 2009 11:43pm | #2

    Any of the standard cleaners like 409, Simple Green, Mr Clean, etc. will work.

    Use a sray bottle and thoroughly soak the coil inside and out, then as suggested use a low pressure  rinse.

    I have a special adjustable suicide nozzle that will put out a needle jet of low pressure  water. You can pick one up at an HVAC supply house for a few bucks. They are the ticket for not damageing the fins.

    For really dirty coils you may need an acid wash. You can pick the coil cleaning acid up at a supply house also. Mix it in a pump up garden sprayer and apply to both inner and outer coil fins. Let set for the four or five miniutes and rinse with water. keep rinsing untill you have no more foam in the rinse water.

    If you go the acid clean route be sure to get a coil safe product only. Some will damage alum. coils.

    After acid cleaning a semi-annual cleaning with  any of the other products will keep them open and help the condenser run more efficiently.

  3. WayneL5 | Jun 11, 2009 03:45am | #3

    Just remove the covers and brush them off with a foxtail.  Usually that does a complete job.

    HVAC suppliers have an aerosol coil cleaner that works well, too.

    1. brownbagg | Jun 11, 2009 04:50am | #4

      I got some pink stuff at the hvac supply house, its like a foaming soap with a little acid in it. git them dos coil spotless.

  4. Tim | Jun 11, 2009 03:07pm | #5

    I use compressed air, from the inside out. Mini shop vac for the collected debris inside.

  5. Clewless1 | Jun 23, 2009 08:53am | #6

    Mr. Richeson seems to have a sensible approach with plenty of logic thrown in. Most wouldn't take that much care, but ensuring your fins are well cared for is a good idea.

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