The most straightforward and least expensive approach to increasing the lifespan and efficiency of your air conditioner is to clean your coils.
It not only reduces operating and repair costs, but it also improves your indoor air quality and comfort.
Remember, maintaining your AC system should be a manageable task. We at Cool Guys Mechanical are here to demystify your cooling system so you can learn how to troubleshoot and DIY repair central air conditioning problems without breaking the bank.
In this article, we will walk you through what a condenser coil is, why you need to keep it clean, and, more importantly, the five-step process to clean your condenser coils effectively.
What is a Condenser Coil?
The condenser is a huge metal outdoor component that houses the condenser coils. Its primary function is dissipating and removing heat from home and releasing it outdoors through the condenser coils.
Condenser coils run through aluminum fins where the gaseous refrigerant is compressed and condenses into hot liquid. As the fluid flows through the condenser coils, the heat is dissipated by the fins and coils. A massive electric fan on top of the condenser helps remove the heat.
Why Do You Need to Clean Your Condenser Coils?
Over the summer, your air conditioner works nonstop. Eventually, it will gather dust, dirt, and debris over time. The heat process is hampered when the condenser coil becomes dirty as heat cannot escape from it, so condenser coil cleaning should be a part of your regular maintenance to prevent issues or damage.-
Guarantees optimum performance
The primary function of a condenser coil is to dissipate heat by expelling it outdoors. It receives the heated and compressed gas refrigerant from the compressor. The heat is transferred from the gas refrigerant to the air flowing over it. The refrigerant cools and changes to liquid form, and air will start to heat up, circulate in the coil, and is released outdoors. -
Provides comfort
Condenser coils are a vital component of your outdoor unit. Thus, you must keep it clean at all times, as it can affect the performance of your air conditioner. When dirt and debris cover your condenser coils, the heat will get trapped inside and cannot be adequately expelled. This will result in less effective cooling and an increase in energy consumption. You should routinely clean your condenser coil as part of your AC cleaning. The more efficient your air conditioner is, the more comfortable your home or workspace will be. -
Increase in lifespan
Air conditioners typically last between 10-15 years. However, if the system is not adequately maintained and becomes inefficient, it is more prone to wear and tear. A dirty condenser coil makes the unit work harder, which stresses the internal parts. Once the refrigerant system wears out, your AC system’s lifespan will shorten. -
Cost Savings
To keep your home cool and cozy, your air conditioner should be at its peak performance, and this can only be possible with efficient condenser coils. It is more difficult for condenser coils to function correctly when covered in dirt and dust. This leads to your air conditioning system working double-time to keep your home cool, which increases your electricity costs. -
Better Indoor Air Quality
A dirty condenser coil is a great breeding ground for biological contaminants such as fungi, mold, and bacteria. Cleaning your condenser coils regularly eliminates these problems and keeps your home or office contaminant-free and safe. -
Prevent inconvenient malfunctions
The last thing you will ever want to happen in the middle of the summer is a malfunctioning air conditioner. This could endanger your family’s safety and render your home uninhabitable. Regularly cleaning your condenser coils lowers the likelihood of malfunctions and safeguards your family’s well-being.
How Often Should You Clean The Condenser Coils?
The best way to ensure your condenser coils stay clean and efficient is to schedule an air conditioning maintenance service plan. Therefore, an annual cleaning of the said coils is often recommended. Nevertheless, there are situations where cleaning should be done more often than usual, such as when your condenser coil operates under extreme conditions. It is best to clean your condenser coils quarterly. Moreover, it’s a good idea to check the conditions of the coils during maintenance intervals. If you are unsure, you can always contact an air conditioning cleaning company to assist you. There are several ways air conditioning experts can determine the need to clean your condenser coils:- Air pressure comparison. The AC specialist will compare the air pressure drop across the coils to the intended values. A more significant air pressure drop than the design specification indicates a dirty coil that needs cleaning.
- High refrigerant pressure. Dirty condenser coils will exhibit high refrigerant pressure., decreasing suction pressure and airflow.
- Visual inspection. If condenser coils appear dirty, it’s time to have them cleaned.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Condenser Coils
Tools/Materials You Will Need
- Soft-bristle brush
- Cordless drill
- Hose and spray nozzle
- Screwdriver with socket
- Two cans of foaming AC condenser coil cleaner
The Process
Step 1: Cut the power supply.
Pull the plug connector from the power box at the air conditioner condenser to cut off the power supply. Alternatively, you can turn off the AC breaker in your main breaker panel to begin the procedure.
Step 2: Remove the top and side condenser covers.
Remove the screws holding the top protective cover in place using the cordless drill or screwdriver. Repeat the process for the side condenser covers.
Expert Tip: Secure the screws by putting them together in a bag and place them where they can be easily located.
Step 3: Remove the panels.
From the back side, start removing the panels one by one. Be careful not to cause damage to the condenser fins.
Expert Tip: Keep the panels organized as you remove them so you can remember how to place them back.
Step 4: Straighten the fins and clean the coils.
Remove large debris from the condenser coils and straighten the fins with a metal fin comb. In cleaning the coils, use a soft-bristle brush or hose spray with a nozzle.
On the inside of the cabinet, spritz the AC condenser coil cleaner. Apply a generous layer of the cleaner on all four sides, ensuring it passes through and into the fins. Do not touch the fins.
Let the water and the foaming coil cleaner do the work. Avoid making direct physical contact with the fins and coils as much as possible.
Expert Tip: Never brush side to side; always go up and down. Do not directly spray water on the fins; do so from the top.
Step 5: Reinstall the panels to the condenser.
Put the panels back together in the same order you took them out. Use a screwdriver. Before installing all the panels, leave the screws loose and tighten them thereafter.
Expert Tip: Depending on the unit type, you may install the corner panels before the flat panels.
If you have extensively damaged fins or feel uncomfortable cleaning your condenser coils, our air conditioning service professionals can do it. Call us today and get a FREE estimate.
