by Cooper Climate Control
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Spring is here! That means that summer is just around the corner, but it also means the heat is here and it’s time to prep your AC. You have probably already switched that “on” button, but there is one crucial step you need to take before letting the cool air sink in: cleaning the condenser coil. Possibly the single most important factor to maintaining your air conditioning systems in the Valley-Metro area is keeping the condenser coil clean and well maintained. Not only will good maintenance reduce your energy consumption and save on your monthly bills, but clean condenser coils will also make your AC unit last longer and keep it running efficiently, saving energy and money. It is important to clean the coils early in the spring, before the AC unit is needed for the long, hot Arizona summer.
What’s it For? The outdoor condenser coil of your air conditioner has a tough job to do in warm weather. It takes the concentrated heat taken from your home and dumps it into the hot, outdoor air. To get rid of the collected heat, your outdoor condenser coil has to stir lots and lots of air. If the coil is dirty or if plants or other outdoor objects are too close to your unit, the fan in the outdoor coil can’t the amount of air required for top performance and efficiency. This raises the cost of electricity for air conditioning and can shorten the lifespan of the outdoor condensing unit.
How Often Do You Clean Your Unit? Cleaning the compressor coils and cooling fins of your outdoor unit annually is recommended under standard conditions, but you should do this more often if there is a lot of growth around the unit, trees that shed or dandelions nearby. This year, the amount of pollen around us has reached record numbers, and this could very well be clogging up your unit. Even though this task is fairly easy to do yourself, you must be very careful when cleaning certain parts of the unit because they are so delicate. A professional will clean your outdoor and indoor units, check your Freon level and make recommendations for you on what you need to get done. This is still a good route to go if you want to watch a pro do it first, if you think that you are low on Freon or have a specific problem or questions you need answered by someone certified and trusted.
Why Use a Pro Using a professional AC technician ensures that all the needs of your AC unit are met. If the fins are extremely bent or there is an excess amount of debris that you don’t want to clear out yourself, then it’s best to call an experienced technician to get the job done safely and correctly. Most AC companies are busy all summer repairing and replacing units, so it’s always best to take advantage of professional services early in the spring. This will make sure you get the best prices as well as enough time to have your AC unit ready to go before summer hits us like a ton of hot bricks. You know how it is. Also, problems may arise that you didn’t quite expect. With the unit open, look closely at the bottom for dark oil spots near the compressor. If you do see some, you may have an oil leak from the compressor and your system may need to be repaired and charged with Freon. If this applies to you, definitely have a professional come out and take a look at this as soon as possible! It’s better to not try to replace the pad that the unit sits on. There are so many fragile parts that you are asking for trouble if you attempt to take it on yourself. If your pad is broken or sinking, check with a pro.
Before Cleaning Around the outdoor condensing unit of the air conditioner, plants and other debris need to be removed from within 3 feet of the unit in all directions. The air’s upward path from the unit needs to be clear for at least 5 feet. If your outdoor unit is installed under a deck or has some other structure above it, it needs to be carefully moved. Most condenser coils are full of pollen and dust even though you can’t see it. Do not wait longer than 2 years before cleaning condenser coils, and if your summers are long, cleaning more than once a year may be necessary. So, that means you!
The Cleaning Process Cleaning your AC unit’s condenser coil can be a DIY if you have some experience and follow the steps carefully, but we recommend hiring a certified Cooper Climate Control technician with plenty of hands-on experience with the many fragile parts of your unit. First, and most importantly, the unit’s power must be turned off. Easy, but people tend to forget this basic and important starting point. Then, the guard grill (which protects the coil) can be removed to help get to any visible grass, leaves, dirt and lint so that it can be thoroughly cleaned out of the aluminum fins and/or louvers. Then, technicians will spray on a biodegradable outdoor coil cleaner directly into the coil, wait 10 to 15 minutes, and flush it with a gentle water spray that won’t bend the fragile aluminum fins. If there are bent fins, the technician will use the right tool, such as an adjustable fin comb, to carefully run it along the finds to straighten them out, making sure not to damage them. And that’s it, y’all! Power will then simply be restored to your AC unit and you’ll have a much smoother running air conditioner with even cooler air, bringing you and your family total comfort for the long summer ahead.