Cleaning split A/C condenser coils
TKanzler
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I have a Trane XE 1000 outdoor unit, nameplate dated 6/91, with 3/8″ dia. Spine Fin coils. The entire outer surface of the coils is covered with lint-like debris. The unit works, i.e. the system makes cold air, but this obviously can’t be good for it’s efficiency. Since we bought the house at the beginning of the year and don’t know how it performs, I plan on having an HVAC contractor inspect, test, adjust, etc. before the hot weather comes (upstate New York). My question is how do you clean this type of coil without damaging the spines? I have air, water, vacuum, and elbow grease available. Or do I just pay the contractor to do it? What would he or she do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
Depending on the severity of the build up on the condenser coils, here are some options.
1. shut the unit off at the disconect.
2. renove the top or side panels so that you can see both side of the coil.
3. use a spray bottle of 409, Fantastic, or other household cleaners, and thoriughly soak both side of the coil (or only one if that is all you can reach). Ley stand for a few minuetes
4. gentley rinse the coil with light water pressure from your garden hose. Do not blast it with a hard stream or you will bend the finns. Rinse from the top down, following the finns.
5. continue rinsing untill you have a clear run off of water from the coils.
6. inspect you handiwork. You should be able to see light through the coil. If not repeat steps 2. thru 5.
7. let the unit set for an hour or so, and put it back inservice at the diconnect.
This should become a routine maintenance practice for you. I generally clean mine in the early spring and and agian after the trees have bloomed out. A third cleaning durring the cooling season may be needed if there is a lot of construction nearby.
Keeping the condenser coils clean is one of the most important aspects of unit efficency and life. Dirt is not a good medium for heat transfer and the restricted air flow just compounds the problem. extremely dirty coils can make a unit fail on the high head pressure safety. Repeated high head failures lead to hih internal compressure temperature, then the oil breaks down and the unit burns out.
If the unit has not been cleaned in several years, you may not be able to get it so with household cleaners. DO NOT use anything stronger, that you get at HD or the local hardware store. The unit needs to be acid washed by a trained technician. They will use a properly formulated a/c coil acid, mixed at the correct ratio to not damage your unit. Once the tech. has cleaned the unit, you can start you annual or semiannual cleaning routine. Chances are that you won't ever have to call them back for that particular problem and its attendent cost.
Dave
I stripped off all the sheet metal and spent an hour or two cleaning the coils (after vacuuming the debris out of the center, which was blocking the drain holes). My perception is that the fan moves a lot more air than before. Interestingly, the unit only draws 13A (75 deg F today) when the nameplate says 20.9 R.L. amps + 1.5A for the fan. I'll mention this to the service tech later in the week. Thanks for the advice.
Two hours, saved yourself about $120.00 in my neck of the woods.
Best to you.
Dave