Central Air Condenser Cleaning

[James-W]

I usually clean my central air condenser unit each Spring, but since we have had a cold and wet Spring I had not done it as of yet. But Sunday I decided that it was time to get it cleaned up and I got out the shop vac and garden house along with some 409 in a spray bottle. I removed the heavy metal screen from around the unit and sucked all kinds of **** out of the fins. Then I sprayed 409 along with some Dawn dish washing soap into the fins and used the garden hose with a sprayer attachment to clean out the fins even better. Worked really well, the fins look pretty much like they did when the unit was originally installed. I got everything back together and it is working really well.

I was wondering if you guys and gals clean your own central air-conditioning units or do you hire it done? I have been doing ours for many years, it isn't all that difficult, takes a little time and effort but nothing too serious. Three of my friends hire theirs done, they don't want to mess with it I guess. I told them I would help them if they wanted to try doing it themselves, but they just said they would hire it done.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I've been cleaning mine for half a century. It's only a few minutes a year.

 

[RossABQ]

Many Youtube videos show pro HVAC guys using a foaming cleaner, looks like it really gets them clean.

 

[Norcal]

They sell coil cleaner at HD, but it's a decent markup.

 

[James-W]

Many Youtube videos show pro HVAC guys using a foaming cleaner, looks like it really gets them clean.

I have heard that some people use a foaming oven cleaner, but I have not tried that and anyway I doubt that is what you are talking about.

You can use a pressure washer if it isn't very powerful and will bend the fins.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I buy the foaming cleanser at HD. I really need to go do my Dad's as it's looking really dirty/mossy/moldy.

Jim

 

[fitter30]

If the coil is just dirty. not any oil i don't like coil cleaner. When coil cleaner is used the fins turn shiny for reason. Fins are aluminum and thin cc takes some of the oxidation off the thickness. Let the cleaner sit on the fins to long or don't get all the cleaner off eats more of the fin. If they look like a porcupine low pressure water thumb over the end of hose. Wash both ways inside to out.

 

[ludakris04]

I just spray it down with simple green, then hose it off..
It is also next to where I store the hose, so it gets hosed off multiple times throughout the summer.

 

[Bulldog13]

I use full strength Simple green..,,works great

 

[manwithtools]

I have heard that some people use a foaming oven cleaner, but I have not tried that and anyway I doubt that is what you are talking about.

You can use a pressure washer if it isn't very powerful and will bend the fins.

Do Not use oven cleaner on AC Condensers, that stuff is caustic and will attack the aluminum fins in the condenser.

 

[Norcal]

I have heard that some people use a foaming oven cleaner, but I have not tried that and anyway I doubt that is what you are talking about.

You can use a pressure washer if it isn't very powerful and will bend the fins.

Even a high pressure nozzle on a hose will bend the fins, do not even entertain the idea of a pressure washer, it will eff things up royally a gentle spray to remove the coil cleaner residue is all that is needed, using a fin comb to straighten bent fins is a tedious job, that should be avoided. Oven cleaner should not be used on aluminum.

 

[mike93lx]

Need to make sure to flush the condensate line as well.

I like to hit it with a shop vac and then flush it with hot water and either coil cleaner or vinegar.

I've done mine and hired it out. Depends on if I want other stuff checked that I don't have the skills or time for.

 

[kaffine]

We have an AC company here that says they clean the coils the correct way not the easy way. I keep thinking of calling them up and asking what is the correct way?

I'm guessing they pull the fan and rinse from inside out but I'm not sure.

I normally rinse mine off a few times a year. I normally just use water unless they have a lot of buildup. I'll use coil cleaner every few years and make sure I rinse it off. For the evaporator we don't have enough humidity for me to trust the no rinse cleaners so I will rinse the coils off if I use a cleaner on them as well.

 

[RossABQ]

We have an AC company here that says they clean the coils the correct way not the easy way. I keep thinking of calling them up and asking what is the correct way?

I'm guessing they pull the fan and rinse from inside out but I'm not sure.

I normally rinse mine off a few times a year. I normally just use water unless they have a lot of buildup. I'll use coil cleaner every few years and make sure I rinse it off. For the evaporator we don't have enough humidity for me to trust the no rinse cleaners so I will rinse the coils off if I use a cleaner on them as well.

Yep, they pull the fan and the outer sheet metal, put on cleaner from the inside, then flush. Clean out all the debris in the pan, too.

 

[shaeff]

We have an AC company here that says they clean the coils the correct way not the easy way. I keep thinking of calling them up and asking what is the correct way?

I'm guessing they pull the fan and rinse from inside out but I'm not sure.

I normally rinse mine off a few times a year. I normally just use water unless they have a lot of buildup. I'll use coil cleaner every few years and make sure I rinse it off. For the evaporator we don't have enough humidity for me to trust the no rinse cleaners so I will rinse the coils off if I use a cleaner on them as well.

Yep, they pull the fan and the outer sheet metal, put on cleaner from the inside, then flush. Clean out all the debris in the pan, too.

This is how I do mine, simple and effective. Some condensers have two sets of coils that are stacked, there are HVAC guys out there that'll actually separate the coils to clean them better. It's not too difficult but many homeowners might not be comfortable doing it.

I use coil cleaner when it's nasty, otherwise just rinsing with water cleans mine up pretty well.

I've got an issue with my first floor unit- a woodchuck dug a hole under the slab, the ground under it collapsed and sunk the back side of it about 3". I think this cracked a solder joint as this is now the second year I'm only getting and 8* split on the temp out of the vents. Had it recharged once, now that I've fixed the slab I'll have them check for a leak.

 

[James-W]

Even a high pressure nozzle on a hose will bend the fins, do not even entertain the idea of a pressure washer, it will eff things up royally a gentle spray to remove the coil cleaner residue is all that is needed, using a fin comb to straighten bent fins is a tedious job, that should be avoided. Oven cleaner should not be used on aluminum.

A few years ago I happened to stop at a friend's house when he was having his AC cleaned. The HVAC guy was using a real small electric pressure washer and it didn't seem to have a whole lot of pressure. However, it did squirt the water into the fins and "muddy" water was coming out, not sure if "muddy" is the right word to use though. I agree, a lot of pressure will bend the fins and they are hard to straighten.

 

[James-W]

Do Not use oven cleaner on AC Condensers, that stuff is caustic and will attack the aluminum fins in the condenser.

Like I said, I have heard that some people do that. I have not done it, but let's face it, a lot of people do crazy stuff in this world.

 

[James E]

Doesn’t Simple Green attack aluminum as well?

 

[mike in tucson]

Timely thread..... just this week we had three of our 4 big units down at the house...... one had a mouse commit suicide on a starting capacitor.... an easy find. The other two acted somewhat erratic and, upon inspection, there was animal hair that had gotten past the pair of 25x25x5 filters on each unit.... and essentially created a restriction. The restriction could only be seen by taking panels off of the evap unit..... got them cleaned and turned our attention to the outside condenser coils.... yep, major pile of mouse skeletons, cholla cactus parts, and dirt.
Degreaser and low pressure water took care of that.... all systems run much better pressures now...... probably less electricity also.

 

[RossABQ]

Doesn’t Simple Green attack aluminum as well?

Not sure about its affect on aluminum, but if there are plants around the unit, SG will kill off the leaves if not rinsed off quickly. I'm not a fan of the stuff.

 

[jbrain]

Cleaned mine with a foam cleaner a few weeks back.

I've just used water before. Seems cleaner with the spray stuff. I think I will use the foam every few years going forward.

My A/C is 35 years old and still chugging along! Knock on wood!

I know I am WAY over due for replacement but the utility bills are not outrageous comparing to my neighbors and it just

keeps working.

 

[rcktpwrd]

Every couple years I clean inside and outside coils with Frost King foaming cleaner, seems to work pretty well.

 

[mrvm]

Thanks for such a timely thread will need to check on the rental property more often…

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks for such a timely thread will need to check on the rental property more often…

Once a decade would be a good first step

 

[cherokee]

I did it a few times each summer. Gravel road and gravel driveway are just dusty, then "normal" country type things are also dusty. It was a nice cool job playing with the hose every month in the summer, and I was always amazed at the yuck that came out of it. Now with the road chip n' sealed I have found I don't need to do it that often and once a season is about right for a cleaning like the OP talks about. I will still hit it with a hose without taking it all apart several times a year.

On a side note, not sure if it helps or not but if you have an air cooled gen on your house, you might hose that thing off once a year as well. Takes about as long, and you would be shocked at what wants to call that noisy place home.

 

[Bulldog13]

Doesn’t Simple Green attack aluminum as well?

Not according to their website…safe for chrome,aluminum and most metals

 

[FredWanaker]

from their FAQ

"When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process."

 

[mike93lx]

from their FAQ

"When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process."

It's "safeish". "go ahead and use it but we aren't responsible if it screws your stuff up"

 

[Death Row Dave]

I use foam cleaner , take the top off shop vac the pan , hose it all clean .Also a couple of drops of oil to the fan motor and it’s good for a season . I was a stationary engineer by trade PM , is high on my to do list , every fall and spring on the HVAC system .

 

[pcmeiners]

"The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process."

How is this safe on aluminum with a PH of 8.5-9.5 ? Yes the first time you use it you will not notice any of it corrosive nature, over a few years the aluminum's surface gets slowly degraded (etched), making it dull and easy for dirt to collect.
Using a cleaner with a lower PH than 7, ( acidic ) is just as bad, if not worse then using a high PH cleaner.

Most wood floor cleaners have a neutral PH (7) which is safe to use on aluminum. Check the PH before using (Google for the info). They generally do not have the same cleaning power so it is best to apply the cleaner and give it a bit more time to dissolve the grime.