How do I clean evaporator coils on an air conditioning unit?

Question

I am selling my townhouse and was told by a home inspector that the coils needed to be cleaned. I am guessing they can't be that hard to clean and I want to do it the right way. Please Help.

Answer 1

Dont wax the coil or use car soap. Do not use anything that is toxic either. A mild mixture of antibacterial kitchen soap and water could work but your best bet is to use a coil that is specifically meant for evap coils. Wax will inhibit the condensation from forming on the coil thus lowering your latent heat removal. Vacuum the coil then spray with the mild detergent with a low pressure sprayer. After 5-10 minutes rinse with lots of water. Make sure that you dont plug your condensate drain while doing this. Some coils are very hard to access, others not so hard. FYI a pleated fiter will prevent you from ever needing to clean the coil.

PS. most wholesalers will sell the cleaners meant for the evap coil without an account.

Answer 2

To clean your outdoor coil turn your thermostat to the off position first. Then if you have an outdoor power supply(disconnect box) pull the fuse out. Take all the screws out that hold the top of the unit in place. Lift it up and balance it on the top of the unit(or have someone hold it for you). This gives you access to the coil. Put a hand sprayer on a garden hose and spray the coils with hose. Wash from outside in then wash from inside out. Start at the top of the coil each time and wash dirt down with the hose. If you have leaf or other debris in the bottom just clean it out with your hands. There will be drain holes in the bottom plate of the unit that may get stopped up while washing. Just remove debris with your hand so unit will drain. Reasseble the out side unit and plug in your disconnect and your ready to go. Now for the indoor coil. It's a little trickery to get access to the indoor coil. Locate your coil box and see if there are any screws that can be removed from the front of the box to gain access to the coil. If coil has alot of dirt on it with a build-up of hair or other debris, take a wire brush and carefully brush all this dirt off of the coil. Depending on how dirty the indoor coil is you can purchase a No-Rinse coil cleaner in a aerosal can. Just spray the coil with the cleaner and turn the air conditioner on ( if possible). The moisture from your house will rinse the coil cleaner and dirt away. Hope this helps. Good luck selling your house:)

Answer 3

because you're starting to be sturdy airflow by the vents once you're taking the furnace hide off yet no longer in the different case, i'm wondering that both your filter out needs to get replaced or your chilly air returns are inadequate. that's no longer a sturdy issue so a procedures as dirt is in contact yet you may attempt operating it without the front hide (probably putting a filter out over the face of the unit) and leaving your basement or application room door open. this received't help the air distribution a lot so that you're going to likely have warm and funky rooms yet you'll know exceedingly right away if the priority is unquestionably on the go back area. It sounds like the blower is specifically operating to suck instead of blow, each body is happier if it would not ought to artwork very not straightforward at sucking and may specifically concentration on the blowing section so as that your registers can bypass nicely. that's dishonest, and some thing that's oftentimes finished in cellular houses yet you would possibly want to finally end up reducing a go back grill into the ductwork going into the furnace and also into the door going into your basement or application room. this can ultimately be an straightforward restore that keeps the coil from freezing up.

Answer 4

I DON'T use my pressure washer. I have a soap dispenser thing for my hose for car washing. I use car wash soap and shoot it down the top fan slots and out the sides. As this is opposite how the fan pulls the air in.

Once it is dry, I apply a bit of car wax to the chassis. My neighbor said I was crazy, but this cost more than my used car - I like my new stuff to stay nice for a while anyway. I'd especially do it to help tweak the sale, it'll only take a couple minutes.

Answer 5

you can go to an hvac supplier like a grainger or united refrigeration and buy a spray can of coil cleaner for under 10 bucks.... or if you already have a degreasing cleaner thats not too powerful (simple green works, i use it on mine) if you want to do it the best way though, get some coil cleaner at grainger or another hvac supplier... here is a link to look at
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemId=1613605355

Answer 6

I suggest using a vacuum cleaner hose with a soft brush.

(the canister type, not an upright)