Air Conditioner Condenser Coil Cleaning - Do You Do It?

[askolover]

Well, my old Goldstar unit that is now about 24 years old was replaced last year just because it's getting up in years.  I took it apart and was amazed at the crap I found on the inside.  Since it was completely dry, I was able to blow it out with compressed air and then vacuum the rest.  It made a difference in the amount of cool air it produced.  I gave it to my parents to use in my dad's workshop.  But it still works, although it is a bit noisier than it was when new.

 

I usually clean my central unit fins.  I used to have to open it up and clean leaves out of the condenser cabinet until I put hardware cloth over the grill to keep them out. 

 

[bradfordwhite]

#19

"I used to have to open it up and clean leaves out of the condenser cabinet until I put hardware cloth over the grill to keep them out. "

excellent idea. I don't know why the manufacturers don't build in some type of filter. It's just the logical thing to do.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I have seen window air conditioners with the condenser 100% clogged with pollen and dirt.  I take my window units apart every 2 years to clean them.  I'd guess that more than half the air conditioners thrown away for lack of performance only need a good cleaning.

 

[bradfordwhite]

In the mid 90s I picked up two 15,000 BTU Westinghouse models from the late 80s and they had the energy saver switch on them.
They were installed permanently somewhere where there were a lot of trees and they had a thick layer of leaves and dirt inside. They were just plugged up with material.

I took a hose and washed them out. There was a lot of gunk.

When they were done and dried put everything back together and they really threw out the cold air. Good as new.

 

[combo52]

Cleaning A/C Condensers and Evaportors

My advice is to check both these items after 5 years or so of use and depending on how dirty they are develop a cleaning strategy going forward.

 

  Window A/Cs have had slingers in them since the first units in the 50s and earlier that throw the condensate water on the condenser coil. Doing this not only helps get rid of the water but greatly improves the operating efficiency of the whole machine, it is not a good idea to try and drain this water before it does its job.

 

  Be very careful about putting any type of screens or mesh guards over any window or central A/C unit, it is all too easy to restrict the air-flow enough to cause the head pressure to go up and make the A/C work harder and possibility fail sooner.   If you have anything covering your A/C set it to keep running for at least 15 minutes and check the out put air temperature and the take the screens off and see if the airflow improves and if the out put air temperature goes down at all.   If so you should not use the screens you are using.  

 

John L.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

No question--maybe I should break open my central, located in a rather weedy area of my backyard, which I'm paying the price for not invested in mulch in...

Tomkeep,it working properly, lasting longer as well...

-- Dave

 

[bradfordwhite]

It's sounds like there might be neighborhood dwarfs living in there. I'm concerned for you. I've heard they can bite to defend their territory.

 

[petek]

Interesting?

After a week more of cottonwood/poplar fluff I went out to check the condenser coils and there was enough of that stuff on their to knit a sweater. The unit was running so I went inside to shut it off. When I came back it it just powered down but as I readied the hose to spray it started up again, in reverse, for about a minute or so. That was odd. It was like it was trying to blow the stuff off,, some of it did,, but it still needed a good spraying. I've never known an a/c to reverse itself after shutdown.. ?

 

[sudsmaster]

Not a problem here.

 

I have a couple of small window AC units. But it's been years since I've bothered to install them. Why? Well, since I retired I can shut windows and pull curtains on hot days to keep the interior within reasonable limits. What's reasonable? Well, 80 and below. The SF Bay Area tends to have cooler summers than the rest of the state and nation. It's those sea breezes. Usually there's a heat wave each summer, but I haven't felt a need to install and fire up the window AC units for a while. I will set up big window fans to bring in cool night air to lower interior temps as needed.

 

So, to make a long story short, I don't think I've run the window AC units enough to need to clean them. But if and when I remember where I stashed them, I'll take a close look at the coils etc.

 

[wayupnorth]

Well, I would like to finally turn on my A/C for the first time this year. In the 50's and rain Saturday and maybe down to the 40's Sunday and more rain. One day in the middle of last week we finally hit 80, once. Excessively chilly as those persistent low pressure systems just park over us and continue to rain and be miserable.