Did i do a good enough job? How long can it stay in the air?
The Neglected Air Conditioning Coil
The Neglected Air Conditioning Coil
In previous aticles I’ve written about the importance of using a good quality pleated filter or polyesterfoam filter with a tackifier to improve your indoor air quality. Doing this will also help keep your evaporator coil clean to reduce your utility and repair cost.
Often the condenser coil is neglected. It also needs periodic cleaning to keep it running at it’s peak performance. There are some simple things you can do yourself to ensure you keep your air conditioner running effiently.
Keep plants and structures a minimum of 12” from the sides of your condenser. More is needed around the service panel.
Keep a minimum of 5’ of clearance( when possible) above the condenser for your discharge air. You don’t want to draw the discharge air back into the condenser.
Just like keeping your evaporater coil clean you need to keep the condensing coil clean. It generaly doesn’t grow mold, it does collect grass clippings, sand, leaves, and the occaisional lizard and frog.
Now, to clean your condensing coil you will need a wet vac, a garden hose, spray nozzle, and a screw driver or battery drill.
The first thing you need to do is TURN OFF the POWER to the a/c.
If your air conditioner has panels protecting the coil remove them (if you hire a professional make sure he does this). Of course don’t attempt to diassemble the air conditioner if your not comfortable doing this. You can wash it with it still assembled, it just doesn’t do as thorough job. But, it can still be done.
Then again if you feel comfortable doing this remove the top of the condenser. The wires are generaly long enough for you to lean the top against the house or you can mark where the fan motors wires connect, and remove the top completely.
Then use a wet vac to vacuum the bottom of the condenser to remove leaves and other debris from the bottom. To keep the condenser bottom clean you can use a Leaf Guard to keep leaves, insects, and other debris from building up on the bottom of your condenser. The Leaf Guard is easy to install and works great.
Now turn on the water and prepare to wash the coil. There are solutions available for this but, water works fine unless you have a dry vent nearby that clogged your coil. Then you may need to use a coil cleaner.
When spraying the coil don’t use the jet setting on the spray nozzle. Use the spray setting. You don’t want to damage the coil. Spray the coil from the inside the condenser out to wash the debris out, not push it deeper into the coil.
When your finished reassemble. Turn the power back on.
Now you can relax and stay cool knowing you did your part in keeping your air conditioner running at it’s peak.
About the Author
Robert Green
www. filtersdirect2you.com
“USAF Evasion Exercise” by Nutnfancy
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