View Full Version : Home A/C System
Juraj
May 17, 2007, 11:10 PM
Our Home A/C is almost 11 years old. It doesn't seem to cool as well as it did several years ago. I noticed that the Condenser Coils are badly corroded. What method and what chemical can I use to clean the coils? Thank You.
Juraj
hvac1000
May 18, 2007, 05:17 AM
Corroded coils cannot really be cleaned. If they are dirty you can turn off the power and back flush (from inside the unit to the outside) With a garden hose. Note! Do not get too much pressure on the hose because you can bend the aluminum part of the coils.
Your unit being 11 years old could probably use a good checking by a professional. It might be a bit low on refrigerant or the compressor might not be up to snuff.
Juraj
May 19, 2007, 07:08 PM
I believe that I might have phrased the question incorrectly. My cooling coils appear to be OK. It is the cooling fins that are corroded badly from dirt and dust being sucked in. I contacted an A/C repairman and he said that they use some type of liquid and spray on the fins and then flush them out. I saw this done on a home repair show on TV also. Do you know of any chemical that I could use to clean the fins? The A/C repairman quoted me $124.00 to do the job. Thank you very much.
Juraj
hvacservicetech_07
May 19, 2007, 07:51 PM
It's just a condenser coil cleaner, there are several brands out there, you may have to go to a heating and A/C supply house to find it though. Be very careful, if not mixed right or you leave the solution on for too long it counld damage the coil and cost you a lot more money, I don't usually use the stuff unless the coil is coated in oil or grease. I would use hvac1000's advice and just shut the power off to the unit, remove the top and rinse the coil from the inside out.
hvacservicetech_07
May 19, 2007, 07:55 PM
Keep this in mind, the service tech. gave you a price of 124.00, if you damage those coils it is going to cost you replacement of the coil or maybe even the whole unit. It's most likely your best bet to have a pro. Come out and get your system up to par.