How to clean a air conditioner

dholmes

About 5 months ago I had a new Trane air conditioner- heat pump installed & was wondering how to clean the outside unit. The net says not to use a water hose, because it could make the dirt into mud! Thats the way Ive always clean one, any suggestions how to clean it? thanks

Skynut

I used my air compressor to blow the dirt out from the inside.

steveinaz

Frank can hook you up, he's the AC pro around here...

MrNightly

Ya good question, 'cause i'm about to have my AC tuned up for the summer... are the local tune up guys a rip?

Calling FRANK!!!

treitz3

I have a buddy in the feild and he said that what you need is indoor and outdoor diluted coil cleaner. However, you cannot just go up to Home Depot and purchase this. You have to be HVAC certified and have an account and PO# to purchase such a chemical. I have seen him use this with a sprayer, let it soak for about a half an hour and then hose the "gunk" off. The end result looked like a new unit and the AC was quite efficient afterwards.

Added note: it is suggested that one provides enough room for the unit to "breathe" and it is not wise to let dirt or grass clippings be anywhere near the unit. Rocks, or thick bark might help keep the area cleaner and if you hose it down often when there is no gunk buildup, it will help in the long run. Also, try not to blow grass clippings or debris toward the unit, blow away from the unit.

Hope this helps.........

mrbigbluelight

treitz3 wrote: »

I have a buddy in the feild and he said that what you need is indoor and outdoor diluted coil cleaner. However, you cannot just go up to Home Depot and purchase this. You have to be HVAC certified and have an account and PO# to purchase such a chemical. I have seen him use this with a sprayer, let it soak for about a half an hour and then hose the "gunk" off. The end result looked like a new unit and the AC was quite efficient afterwards.

Simple Green sprayed on the coils with a sprayer, let soak, and rinse.

Repeat.

You're good to go.

P.S. When you rinse the coils off with water, "RINSE" the coils off with water. Don't jet blast them with the 2000 psig pressure washer; that's a good way to flatten out the fins.

engtaz

mrbigbluelight wrote: »

P.S. When you rinse the coils off with water, "RINSE" the coils off with water. Don't jet blast them with the 2000 psig pressure washer; that's a good way to flatten out the fins.

Great point. Too many people flatten the coils buy spraying tohard.

dorokusai

treitz3 wrote: »

I have a buddy in the feild and he said that what you need is indoor and outdoor diluted coil cleaner. However, you cannot just go up to Home Depot and purchase this. You have to be HVAC certified and have an account and PO# to purchase such a chemical. I have seen him use this with a sprayer, let it soak for about a half an hour and then hose the "gunk" off. The end result looked like a new unit and the AC was quite efficient afterwards.

Added note: it is suggested that one provides enough room for the unit to "breathe" and it is not wise to let dirt or grass clippings be anywhere near the unit. Rocks, or thick bark might help keep the area cleaner and if you hose it down often when there is no gunk buildup, it will help in the long run. Also, try not to blow grass clippings or debris toward the unit, blow away from the unit.

Hope this helps.........

My neighbor is HVAC and that's what he did for me....coil cleaner. I usually spray mine off whenever I'm using the hose in the backyard. 7 year old, apartment salvage AC unit and it still rocks the house into 66 degrees if need be.

Frank Z

Step 1 TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE CONDENSING UNIT!!!!
Step 2 TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE FURNACE!!!!

Now you're ready to start cleaning

Step 3 Remove the top of the condensing unit being carefull not to damage the fan blades, condensor coils, and wires.

Step 4 Using your hands or a shop vac, remove any debries/leafs/trash from the bottom of the condensing unit.

Step 5 Using your garden hose WITHOUT a sprayer attached, wash the coils from the inside out. If the coil is really dirty, or plugged with cottonwood seeds you may need to call a pro and have them use Alki-Foam (they'll know what it is) to chemically clean the coil.

Assemble in reverse order.

Using a compressor to clean the coil can lean to a problem or two. If you use too much pressure the fins can get bent...not good fellas. Blowing from the outside toward the inside will cause the dirt to get pushed farther into the fins.


Honestly folks, if you need the condensor cleaned you might as well call your favorite HVAC guy and have them clean and service the entire system at the beginning of the season. Unless you live in an area that has alot of Cottonwood trees, a thorough cleaning is only needed once a year.

Willow

Frank,

When should your AC be serviced. OUr new house ( we have not moved in yet) has it installed it's a yr old been used only one summer. It does not rest on the ground it's one of those elevated central air with brackets on the side of the house.

Frank Z

Annually, at the beginning of the cooling season.

dholmes

Thanks everyone! On my old unit all i did was take off the top, & spray carefully with a water hose from inside out, no cemicals just water.