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Cleaning PTAC unit
- Thread starter branimal
- Start date
Snapped-off
Well-known member
Stiff bristle brush and a vacuum
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I'd just use soapy water, away from any electronics. Deenergize the unit of course.Is there some type of cleaner that is effective on the outside surfaces? I have evap coil cleaner for the evaporator.
I personally wouldn't use coil cleaner unless it's a last resort. It can be pretty corrosive if you don't get it all off.
If I run the unit afterwards, wont the evaporator wash the coils with the humidity it generates? Obviously it would have to be a warm summer day.I'd just use soapy water, away from any electronics. Deenergize the unit of course.
I personally wouldn't use coil cleaner unless it's a last resort. It can be pretty corrosive if you don't get it all off.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
Agree, many coil cleaners are corrosive. It has been recommended to check out wood floor cleaners, as the are generally PH neutral, check the PH in the product's SDS if you use such a cleaner.I'd just use soapy water, away from any electronics. Deenergize the unit of course.
I personally wouldn't use coil cleaner unless it's a last resort. It can be pretty corrosive if you don't get it all off.
Great tip on checking the SDS. The evap cleaner Im using has a pH of 7.9 concentrated. I'm diluting 3:1 with water. So that will move the pH closer to 7 (neutral).Agree, many coil cleaners are corrosive. It has been recommended to check out wood floor cleaners, as the are generally PH neutral, check the PH in the product's SDS if you use such a cleaner.
Coil Cleaner
pcmeiners
Well-known member
Diluting would not work with my well water PH 9.2. Other than that the chemicals in the mix are good cleaning agents
fitter30
Well-known member
Hose the coils off. The condenser gets dirty on the inside behind fan blade. If foan motor has open slots cover motor with plastic. Let unit dry for a couple of hours in the sun. Might also see where the evap coil condensate comes out and hose it and look at blower wheel. Can tilt unit to dump water out of it. I don't believe in coil cleanerlike other have wrote doesn't seem like it all comes off. Cleaner that shines the coil is taking some of the thickness off the fins.
While staying at a hotel a few years ago they had a company cleaning the units. They had a crew removing the units from the rooms, wheeling them downstairs on the elevator, with another crew cleaning them in the parking lot. Got a good rhythym going, and they just plugged along.
I didn't smell any chemical odors when walking past them in the hallway - I figured they were just washing them out with water. Didn't see a pressure washer, but it was more than just hose pressure.
I'd say to the OP as long as you keep moisture out of the power controls a neutral cleaner should do fine on the cabinet and coils. You could also try any of the aerosol foam coil cleaners on the market. I used them on occasion with no corrosive effects.
I didn't smell any chemical odors when walking past them in the hallway - I figured they were just washing them out with water. Didn't see a pressure washer, but it was more than just hose pressure.
I'd say to the OP as long as you keep moisture out of the power controls a neutral cleaner should do fine on the cabinet and coils. You could also try any of the aerosol foam coil cleaners on the market. I used them on occasion with no corrosive effects.
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Milton Shaw
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2011
- Messages
- 4,857
We used a steam cleaner to clean PTACS when I worked for GE as a technician. They would clean even built up nicotine from motel/hotel units that were in smoking rooms. We would clean as part of servicing the units. We didn't go in and clean them all like some private contractors did, just when we had them in for other service, such as fan motors, refrigerant leaks etc. Steam cleaner would not bend coils like a pressure washer would from so much pressure.
I got an AC tech (who I trust - he did work for me in the past) to quote me to clean the units.
$200/unit to clean on site. Lays down a protective tarp, pulls the unit, sprays the condenser and evaporator coils with appropriate cleaners and washes off with water.
$250/unit to take to his shop, power wash off the dirt & grim. Clean the condenser and evaporator coils with appropriate cleaners and washes off with water. Vacuum out the blower wheel. Returns the unit in the evening.
He's going to tie off the copper pipe.
Seems like a no brainer to have him take it to his shop.
$200/unit to clean on site. Lays down a protective tarp, pulls the unit, sprays the condenser and evaporator coils with appropriate cleaners and washes off with water.
$250/unit to take to his shop, power wash off the dirt & grim. Clean the condenser and evaporator coils with appropriate cleaners and washes off with water. Vacuum out the blower wheel. Returns the unit in the evening.
He's going to tie off the copper pipe.
Seems like a no brainer to have him take it to his shop.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
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