How to Clean An Air Conditioner's condenser coil
Air conditioning systems are comprised of two main parts, the evaporator and the condenser unit. The condenser unit is the portion of the air conditioning system that is housed outdoors. It normally consists of a large, metal box that contains a compressor, fan, and condenser coils; the condenser unit is placed on a concrete slab and is connected to the evaporator unit, which is inside the home, using coolant lines. Air conditioning systems work by using a chemical, called refrigerant, that is transferred back and forth between liquid and gas states to cool the air. The condenser coils are used to cool the refrigerant and turn it from its gaseous state back to its liquid state. If the condenser coils become dirty, they can be prevented from cooling the refrigerant and keep the air conditioning system from working properly.
The following are items that will be needed to clean condenser coils: a brush, vacuum, screwdriver, garbage bags, water hose, and condenser coil cleaner. It can be a good idea to have extra help when cleaning condenser coils.
Directions
1. Switch off the power to the air conditioning system. This can be done at the power junction box or breaker unit. Turning off the unit lessens the chance of injury and damage to the air conditioning unit.
2. Lightly brush away any debris that is on the condenser unit’s fins, and vacuum the unit. The condenser fins are the thin strips of metal that are placed closely together.
3. Apply cleaner to the condenser fins and coils. Follow the directions on the package; typically, condenser coil cleaner will need to sit on the condenser coils about 15 minutes.
4. Remove the grill and fan. Place the grill and fan to the side, and put any screws that were removed in a place where they will not be lost.
5. Cover the inside components of the condenser unit with the garbage bags; make sure all electrical components are covered.
6. Spray the condenser coil cleaner on the condenser fins and coils again. Do not spray from the inside of the unit; spray only from the outside.
7. Use the hose to wash the dirt and cleaner off of the condenser coils. Spray the water from inside the unit to the outside. Do not spray the water onto the electrical components inside of the condenser unit.
8. Remove the plastic bags, and replace the fan and grill. Turn on the power.
The following are items that will be needed to clean condenser coils: a brush, vacuum, screwdriver, garbage bags, water hose, and condenser coil cleaner. It can be a good idea to have extra help when cleaning condenser coils.
Directions
1. Switch off the power to the air conditioning system. This can be done at the power junction box or breaker unit. Turning off the unit lessens the chance of injury and damage to the air conditioning unit.
2. Lightly brush away any debris that is on the condenser unit’s fins, and vacuum the unit. The condenser fins are the thin strips of metal that are placed closely together.
3. Apply cleaner to the condenser fins and coils. Follow the directions on the package; typically, condenser coil cleaner will need to sit on the condenser coils about 15 minutes.
4. Remove the grill and fan. Place the grill and fan to the side, and put any screws that were removed in a place where they will not be lost.
5. Cover the inside components of the condenser unit with the garbage bags; make sure all electrical components are covered.
6. Spray the condenser coil cleaner on the condenser fins and coils again. Do not spray from the inside of the unit; spray only from the outside.
7. Use the hose to wash the dirt and cleaner off of the condenser coils. Spray the water from inside the unit to the outside. Do not spray the water onto the electrical components inside of the condenser unit.
8. Remove the plastic bags, and replace the fan and grill. Turn on the power.
