Do you guys every get this done? When's a good time to do this? Other than changing filters and once maybe twice a year clean coils on the unit is all I do.
Home AC system routine maintenance
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I like Evap Foam for cleaning the indoor coils, works well and smells nice but Formula 409 works, too. It's good to flush the condensate drain line with some bleach and hit it with a shop vac if it doesn't flow freely. Some motors have a lubrication requirement.
I did have this done for 20 years in old house, now not sue it is worth it. Last try here resulted in incompetence and more $$$ due to their error. May be just a cheap in the long run not to have anyone look at it until it has a problem, other than filters and keeping it clean as possible. My problem is the technicians, if one could guarantee the same one came out every time fine but the bad ones are mixed in with the good and service is sketchy.
Agreed
Mine is 17 years old now without a service ever. ( No change in electric cost either)
Now I have a great HVAC man for another house I have and he agreed- leave it alone now and when it dies replace it. I just hose the screen around the unit a few times a year because its in an area I mow around.
Originally Posted By: Spector
I did have this done for 20 years in old house, now not sue it is worth it. Last try here resulted in incompetence and more $$$ due to their error. May be just a cheap in the long run not to have anyone look at it until it has a problem, other than filters and keeping it clean as possible. My problem is the technicians, if one could guarantee the same one came out every time fine but the bad ones are mixed in with the good and service is sketchy.
Mine is 17 years old now without a service ever. ( No change in electric cost either)
Now I have a great HVAC man for another house I have and he agreed- leave it alone now and when it dies replace it. I just hose the screen around the unit a few times a year because its in an area I mow around.
Originally Posted By: Spector
I did have this done for 20 years in old house, now not sue it is worth it. Last try here resulted in incompetence and more $$$ due to their error. May be just a cheap in the long run not to have anyone look at it until it has a problem, other than filters and keeping it clean as possible. My problem is the technicians, if one could guarantee the same one came out every time fine but the bad ones are mixed in with the good and service is sketchy.
I clean my coils inside and outside twice a year when I change my filter. I also test my compressor run capacitor and the fan capacitor and if it's less than the capacity printed on the side I replace it (about a $25 part). That keeps the motors running smoothly so they don't wear out prematurely.
Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Do you guys every get this done? When's a good time to do this? Other than changing filters and once maybe twice a year clean coils on the unit is all I do.
This is my routine, I spray out the coils annually in the spring before the triple digit heat returns
Do you guys every get this done? When's a good time to do this? Other than changing filters and once maybe twice a year clean coils on the unit is all I do.
This is my routine, I spray out the coils annually in the spring before the triple digit heat returns
Originally Posted By: WANG
I like Evap Foam for cleaning the indoor coils, works well and smells nice but Formula 409 works, too. It's good to flush the condensate drain line with some bleach and hit it with a shop vac if it doesn't flow freely. Some motors have a lubrication requirement.
Are you talking about the coils in the furnace?
Mines located up in the attic. Every seam is sealed with a greyish color goop. How do you remove it?
I like Evap Foam for cleaning the indoor coils, works well and smells nice but Formula 409 works, too. It's good to flush the condensate drain line with some bleach and hit it with a shop vac if it doesn't flow freely. Some motors have a lubrication requirement.
Are you talking about the coils in the furnace?
Mines located up in the attic. Every seam is sealed with a greyish color goop. How do you remove it?
I clean mine at least once/yr. Recently replaced all capacitors as they were low & out of spec. Unfortunately, I'm no longer able to get my favorite pleated filters made locally. The old man died and his son has screwed up the business really bad. The story is he didn't appreciate nor understand how to run the business his Father built.
The A/C supplier that carried these now carries the same as others which is unfortunate.
A few years back, I pulled the evaporator blower motor and relub'd it. The wick was completely dry. Still running fine after 25yrs! Cranking out cold, dry air as I type!
The A/C supplier that carried these now carries the same as others which is unfortunate.
A few years back, I pulled the evaporator blower motor and relub'd it. The wick was completely dry. Still running fine after 25yrs! Cranking out cold, dry air as I type!
As is usual for BITOG, you guys got me feeling compulsive so I went out and checked my capacitor. It is a dual-run type, 45 + 5, and it tests right on the money. I recently purchased a capacitance tester for another job. I have been spending some time in one of our HVAC parts stores as part of my continuing education. My take is that if you have an older system you should keep it going as long as possible. Yes, a new system uses less energy, perhaps substantially less. But, new systems have a lot of features to reduce energy usage that appear to be trouble spots. Add that to the fact that more parts have been sourced offshore to the lowest bidder in an effort to boost profit margins and the newer refrigerant (R-410A) is a blend of gases with its own set of issues.
This is what I have heard from the honest guys who are not just out to sell people new systems.
I clean my outdoor coil once a year with a hose and some cleaning solution. I cleaned the indoor coil several years ago and it was not at all dirty, but it may be due again. I had to cut a "hatch" into the transition to access the coil. If you use good filters and minimize infiltration around the filter frame your indoor coils stays pretty spotless.
This is what I have heard from the honest guys who are not just out to sell people new systems.
I clean my outdoor coil once a year with a hose and some cleaning solution. I cleaned the indoor coil several years ago and it was not at all dirty, but it may be due again. I had to cut a "hatch" into the transition to access the coil. If you use good filters and minimize infiltration around the filter frame your indoor coils stays pretty spotless.
Probably a dumb question.
I have a central A/C outdoor, how do I clean the coil ? Do I need to remove anything to clean it ?
It seems to work okay now and I would like to keep it working as long as I can.
I have a central A/C outdoor, how do I clean the coil ? Do I need to remove anything to clean it ?
It seems to work okay now and I would like to keep it working as long as I can.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Probably a dumb question.
I have a central A/C outdoor, how do I clean the coil ? Do I need to remove anything to clean it ?
It seems to work okay now and I would like to keep it working as long as I can.
They sell coil cleaner at Home Depot. Buy a couple cans. Hose out the coils real good, you'll see mud coming out of the bottom. Then spray the cleaner on there (looks like shaving cream) and let it soak for 5-7 minutes then rinse. Make sure you spray straight at the coils not at an angle, it'll bend the coils. It's real easy to do and I do it once a year.
The coil cleaner is $5 a can.
Probably a dumb question.
I have a central A/C outdoor, how do I clean the coil ? Do I need to remove anything to clean it ?
It seems to work okay now and I would like to keep it working as long as I can.
They sell coil cleaner at Home Depot. Buy a couple cans. Hose out the coils real good, you'll see mud coming out of the bottom. Then spray the cleaner on there (looks like shaving cream) and let it soak for 5-7 minutes then rinse. Make sure you spray straight at the coils not at an angle, it'll bend the coils. It's real easy to do and I do it once a year.
The coil cleaner is $5 a can.
Nick, Thanks.
Will go to HD to buy few A/C coil cleaner.
Should I cover the A/C during winter months ? We don't need A/C from October til June-July.
Will go to HD to buy few A/C coil cleaner.
Should I cover the A/C during winter months ? We don't need A/C from October til June-July.
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I need to get this done myself,thanks for the reminder!
Speaking of filters. We have a huge 24x30x1 which only a few stores carry. It's rated a 8. I change it every three months.
I thought about that too.
The conclusion I came to is if you cover the AC during the winter I fear mice and other animals may use it as a shelter.
So I never had anything living in mine and thus I will not cover it.
The conclusion I came to is if you cover the AC during the winter I fear mice and other animals may use it as a shelter.
So I never had anything living in mine and thus I will not cover it.
Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
I thought about that too.
The conclusion I came to is if you cover the AC during the winter I fear mice and other animals may use it as a shelter.
So I never had anything living in mine and thus I will not cover it.
I just cover the top. Most of my dirt comes from snow.
I thought about that too.
The conclusion I came to is if you cover the AC during the winter I fear mice and other animals may use it as a shelter.
So I never had anything living in mine and thus I will not cover it.
I just cover the top. Most of my dirt comes from snow.
So I took my access plates off the evaporator housing for the second time since 1994. There was not much dirt buildup on the fins but some at the bottom of the V. Also there is standing water in the pan. The drain is not blocked, just looks like the pan is not slightly angled toward the drain.
Is the evap coil holder adjustable for level?
I should say the furnace is a down draft and the evap is at floor level.
Is the evap coil holder adjustable for level?
I should say the furnace is a down draft and the evap is at floor level.
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