The role of the outdoor condenser coil of the air conditioner is very important as it is vital for the air conditioner’s functioning, especially, during the summer. It takes the collected concentrated heat and dumps it into the hot air outdoors. To dispose the collected heat, the air condenser coil has to move a lot of air. If the coil has plants and other objects near it, it can get easily dirty and it becomes hard for the outdoor coil’s fan to move. This increases your electricity bill and may possibly shorten the life of the condensing unit. Therefore, for long life and better cooling performance, it is important to clean the condenser coil regularly. You can do it easily at home because it is not a complicated task and by doing it yourself, you can surely minimize your expenses, provided you have a little time and patience. Just follow the steps given below.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time required: 20–30 minutes
Resources required:
- Grass cutters
- Coil cleaner
- Fin comb
- Soft brush
- Carpenter’s level
- Pry bar
- Gravel or rocks
Instructions:
1. Get rid of grass and weeds
The grass and the weeds that grow around the condenser obstruct the passage of airflow, therefore, it is very necessary to get rid of them. You can cut the grass and weeds with the help of grass cutters used for gardening purposes.
2. Clean the condenser
The next step is to clean the coil condenser. For this purpose, coil cleaners are employed. You can find commercial coil cleaners at a nearby refrigerator store. Wash the condenser with the coil cleaner, but be careful as you have to flush the condenser, do not hose it. Let it dry for some time.
3. Clean the fins
- Remove the protective grille in order to access the fins. Clean them with a soft brush in order to remove the accumulated dirt.
- But do not use water for this purpose as it could turn the dust into mud which is even more difficult to deal with.
- Be careful not to apply much force, as this would damage the fins, which is made up of light gauge aluminum.
- If some fins are bent, then this is the time to straighten them up. Use a fin comb for this purpose.
4. Check the concrete pads
Finally, check the concrete pads on which the the condenser rests in order to make sure that it is leveled. If it is not, then with the help of a pry bar lift the pad a little and then insert some pebbles in the space created in between. This way you could level the concrete pad.
Frequently asked questions:
How often do I need to clean my condenser unit?
Try cleaning the condenser unit at least after six months or more if the air conditioner is used for 24 hours. This will make sure that your condenser remains in a sound condition. Also you don’t have to remove large amount of dirt and dust which you might have to face if you clean the condenser at longer intervals. As more and more dirt accumulates, it becomes even more difficult to clean the condenser and chances of damage also increases.
Quick tips:
- Using a soft brush helps you to clear the dirt effectively. Since aluminum fins can get damaged very easily, avoid using hose while cleaning them.
- During winter season, cover the condenser to prevent from any impasse.
Things to watch out for:
- Don’t forget to wear a dust mask while cleaning your air conditioner’s condenser.
- If you find the coil stuck with too much dirt, call a professional to clean it.
- Prevent plants, weeds, large flowers etc. from growing near the coil as they obstruct the air flow.
- If you are planning to buy a foam cleaner, make sure that it can clean both the condenser and the evaporator.
