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Started By
Message
re: Cleaning AC Condenser unit
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:37 am to s14suspense
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:37 am to s14suspense
How much trouble can the air filters cause, really?
I change mine pretty regularly, and I use what I would think is a mid grade pleated type filter...but even after 45 days, this thing is clogged pretty good.....its definitely grabbing a bunch of allergens and stuff...but I'd rather it not cause long term damage to my unit...
I change mine pretty regularly, and I use what I would think is a mid grade pleated type filter...but even after 45 days, this thing is clogged pretty good.....its definitely grabbing a bunch of allergens and stuff...but I'd rather it not cause long term damage to my unit...
1
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:46 am to fishfighter
I noticed that my drain line outside was dripping pretty steady this weekend. Went upstairs and the pan has a good amount of water in it. The drain is obviously working but is there something I should do about the water accumulating? Is there something causing that condensation that I can fix? Or is this a job for a professional?
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:48 am to Boudreaux35
quote:
I noticed that my drain line outside was dripping pretty steady this weekend. Went upstairs and the pan has a good amount of water in it. The drain is obviously working but is there something I should do about the water accumulating? Is there something causing that condensation that I can fix? Or is this a job for a professional?
The drain line may be getting stopped up a bit with algae. Pour a cup or two of bleach into the drain pan and let it work its way to the outside drain line. I'm sure there is some pipe that is fairly level and that is likely where the algae is forming.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:49 am to Boudreaux35
Im obviously not an AC tech, but i think water in the pan is a sign of something else not draining properly.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:51 am to AUjim
quote:
but even after 45 days, this thing is clogged pretty good....
You should have been changing your filter much sooner than 45 days. I change mine no less than once a month and in the summer when it is running a lot, more often than that.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:55 am to SportTiger1
quote:
but i think water in the pan is a sign of something else not draining properly.
Well, the drain pipe extends out of the side of the pan so the water fills up to the level of the bottom of the pipe.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 10:00 am to s14suspense
quote:
switch to the cheap thin see-through kind this time of year and change them often.
I've used those super thin cheap filters in the past when someone told me that the more expensive ones may put more strain on the AC. The problem I had was that the had a tendency to bend or fold up almost to the point of being sucked up into the return duct. The air was then not being filtered, but routing around the filter.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 10:19 am to LEASTBAY
It is funny to watch people give such terrible advice about a subject they know nothing about.
Your coils being dirty (both evap and condenser) is a HUGE part of your system not cooling. Fun fact: Air conditioners do not "cool" the air. They remove heat/humidity, hence the term "air conditioner."
If your coils are not clean, then air cannot move across them efficiently. In other words, your unit is breathing through a straw. This can lead to high head pressure which can kill a compressor.
It is best to clean condenser coils from the inside out. fact.
Evap coils do not need to be cleaned more than once every 3-4 years in a residential setting with regular filter changes. don't let anyone tell you differently.
Condenser coils need to be cleaned once a year. twice if you are in a really dirty environment (dirt road, new construction around, lots of grass clippings being thrown into it, etc) ETA: just use a water hose and don't use a nozzle with a ton of PSI
low refrigerant can be a factor in a unit not cooling, but it typically isn't, unless the unit is 10 years old or older.
lastly, it'd do you good to pour some bleach in your drain line once a year then after about 10 minutes chase it with a gallon or so of hot water
Your coils being dirty (both evap and condenser) is a HUGE part of your system not cooling. Fun fact: Air conditioners do not "cool" the air. They remove heat/humidity, hence the term "air conditioner."
If your coils are not clean, then air cannot move across them efficiently. In other words, your unit is breathing through a straw. This can lead to high head pressure which can kill a compressor.
It is best to clean condenser coils from the inside out. fact.
Evap coils do not need to be cleaned more than once every 3-4 years in a residential setting with regular filter changes. don't let anyone tell you differently.
Condenser coils need to be cleaned once a year. twice if you are in a really dirty environment (dirt road, new construction around, lots of grass clippings being thrown into it, etc) ETA: just use a water hose and don't use a nozzle with a ton of PSI
low refrigerant can be a factor in a unit not cooling, but it typically isn't, unless the unit is 10 years old or older.
lastly, it'd do you good to pour some bleach in your drain line once a year then after about 10 minutes chase it with a gallon or so of hot water
This post was edited on 7/3/18 at 10:21 am
Posted on 7/3/18 at 10:30 am to FishinTygah84
So,
quote:is cleaning the evaporator coils something a relatively handy MF'er can do?
FishinTygah84
Posted on 7/3/18 at 10:38 am to Boudreaux35
Depends on access. It is relatively easy to do. You can buy a non-rinse cleaner on amazon and spray them down really well. Just be sure it doesn't have any acid or the coils will start to deteriorate
Posted on 7/3/18 at 12:41 pm to FishinTygah84
quote:
Depends on access. It is relatively easy to do. You can buy a non-rinse cleaner on amazon and spray them down really well. Just be sure it doesn't have any acid or the coils will start to deteriorate
This will be my task this afternoon if i can get to it. Is the spray foam stuff pretty decent? Can it be bought at HD or Lowes? or do i need to go to a supply store
Posted on 7/3/18 at 12:44 pm to FishinTygah84
Before i go crazy, it took 7 hours to cool my house from 77deg to 72deg, at night. Thats not good right?
Also, with infrared therm, the intake air at the return was 76, while the 'cold' air that the 2 nearest vents was 66deg.
The vents on the other end of the house were blowing 69/70 deg.
Am i overreacting or do i have a problem?
Also, with infrared therm, the intake air at the return was 76, while the 'cold' air that the 2 nearest vents was 66deg.
The vents on the other end of the house were blowing 69/70 deg.
Am i overreacting or do i have a problem?
Posted on 7/3/18 at 1:00 pm to SportTiger1
You want around an 16-20 degree differential.
ETA: I'd start with cleaning coils. Next. i'd have someone come check refrigerant charges
ETA: I'd start with cleaning coils. Next. i'd have someone come check refrigerant charges
This post was edited on 7/3/18 at 1:10 pm
Posted on 7/3/18 at 1:09 pm to FishinTygah84
quote:
I'd start with cleaning coils and changing your filter. Give it a day.
Both have been done, made no impact.
My BIL is an AC man, but he left for New York this morning. Going to check the evap coils this evening and see if i can find someone check the 410. I'm not spending any money without having him look at it, because he'll do it all free .
But if its something easily and cheaply fixed this week, i would rather not wait and have a $500 electric bill this month.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 1:17 pm to SportTiger1
quote:
This will be my task this afternoon if i can get to it. Is the spray foam stuff pretty decent? Can it be bought at HD or Lowes? or do i need to go to a supply store
The brand "Great Stuff" is good stuff but don't get it on your hands as its really nasty. I've tried off brands and have had decent success but prefer GS.
Readily available at HD, Lowes and even Wal-Mart. At a supply house you will pay $$$
This post was edited on 7/3/18 at 1:19 pm
Posted on 7/3/18 at 1:21 pm to Boudreaux35
quote:
Well, the drain pipe extends out of the side of the pan so the water fills up to the level of the bottom of the pipe.
That is the overflow pan and will only have water in it if your main drain is clogged up.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 1:24 pm to Chuker
quote:
The brand "Great Stuff" is good stuff
We still talking about coil cleaner? "Great Stuff" is an insulating foam, right? Or do they make cleaner also?
Posted on 7/3/18 at 1:37 pm to Boudreaux35
I am referring to great stuff as an insulating foam, not any sort of cleaner.
Posted on 7/3/18 at 8:57 pm to Chuker
quote:
FishinTygah84:
Fun fact: Air conditioners do not "cool" the air
Haha - This is so ridiculous. Normal A/C's cool the air to about 55 degF. If your A/C is not cooling the air, then your A/C is broke.
This post was edited on 7/3/18 at 9:00 pm
Posted on 7/3/18 at 9:48 pm to Nawlens Gator
Check out the second law of thermodynamics baw.
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