I'm a major fan of mini-splits and really would not be without them. BUT, cleaning these things is difficult at best. Everyone here is pretty mechanical but a few things to consider when putting them in. When you buy, make sure you have a highly detailed step by step disassembly procedure. If someone says it is on-line have them show you. I was the Fujitsu rep for 12 years back east and I have 7-9 or 12 RMLQ evaporators between my daughters, friends and my homes. The "Disassembly Instruction" which I can access in the "contractor section of the website"are incomplete and of limited use as a result.
Be careful of the drain line on reassembly, if you break the unit down far enough to drop the drain pan and fan. I do not drop the pan, but do remove the air sweep louvers to be able to spray the fan blades for cleaning. A dirty fan can cost you 40-50% of your air circulation.
Manufacturers make much of the point that you can install the evaporators within 2" of the ceiling, but cleaning the back coil surface is a freakin' nightmare when you cannot get at it and about 40% of your surface area is back there.
It is imperative that these things be cleaned regularly and most people are not doing it.
I did not install a mshp in my shop, but am thinking of doing so. If I do I am going to put up a sheet metal cover on the wall. I will then fabricate a sheet metal cover to go over the evaporator for times when I am really making a mess in the shop. I have central and ambient air dust collection, but when I see how crapped up these things can become, there will be times I want to cover it up.
Cleaning the condensing units (all are roof or wall mounted) is a piece of cake compared to the evaporators. Just keep the electronics dry.
I have been using the NuCalgon evaporator fluid in a pump sprayer.
I am going to look into making an electric pump sprayer to simplify and speed up the cleaning process. In fact, does anyone have any ideas on a pump that would work. It has to be a low pressure system as it takes almost nothing to bend the fins. Where are "fan" nozzles in brass available in 1/4"? Remembering those 2" from the ceiling coils, a couple different wands would be necessary, but I can bend those up. There is a battery operated sprayer for cleaning coils but I'm going to see what I can make up before pulling the trigger on that.
I'm off to clean the bedroom evaporator. Oh, the joy!
As a business opportunity, I think there is as much or more money to be made cleaning mini-splits as installing them. MSHP's have been the fastest growing segment of the HVAC industry over the last decade and I do not think people are getting them cleaned. Learning the procedure for each manuf would be a chore, but once done I think a guy could go around to all the hvac contractors in the area and say you are in the cleaning, not installing business, and maybe pick up a lot of leads. Many contractors do not want the service business.
Be careful of the drain line on reassembly, if you break the unit down far enough to drop the drain pan and fan. I do not drop the pan, but do remove the air sweep louvers to be able to spray the fan blades for cleaning. A dirty fan can cost you 40-50% of your air circulation.
Manufacturers make much of the point that you can install the evaporators within 2" of the ceiling, but cleaning the back coil surface is a freakin' nightmare when you cannot get at it and about 40% of your surface area is back there.
It is imperative that these things be cleaned regularly and most people are not doing it.
I did not install a mshp in my shop, but am thinking of doing so. If I do I am going to put up a sheet metal cover on the wall. I will then fabricate a sheet metal cover to go over the evaporator for times when I am really making a mess in the shop. I have central and ambient air dust collection, but when I see how crapped up these things can become, there will be times I want to cover it up.
Cleaning the condensing units (all are roof or wall mounted) is a piece of cake compared to the evaporators. Just keep the electronics dry.
I have been using the NuCalgon evaporator fluid in a pump sprayer.
I am going to look into making an electric pump sprayer to simplify and speed up the cleaning process. In fact, does anyone have any ideas on a pump that would work. It has to be a low pressure system as it takes almost nothing to bend the fins. Where are "fan" nozzles in brass available in 1/4"? Remembering those 2" from the ceiling coils, a couple different wands would be necessary, but I can bend those up. There is a battery operated sprayer for cleaning coils but I'm going to see what I can make up before pulling the trigger on that.
I'm off to clean the bedroom evaporator. Oh, the joy!
As a business opportunity, I think there is as much or more money to be made cleaning mini-splits as installing them. MSHP's have been the fastest growing segment of the HVAC industry over the last decade and I do not think people are getting them cleaned. Learning the procedure for each manuf would be a chore, but once done I think a guy could go around to all the hvac contractors in the area and say you are in the cleaning, not installing business, and maybe pick up a lot of leads. Many contractors do not want the service business.
