How To Clean Your AC Condenser Coil

[@yearounder]

David is an ex Marine and a top of the line honest guy. I've known him for 50 years, friends since High School. Thanks for the video David! Skip.

[@grundan69]

No ex, Always a Marine! Semper Fi

[@capt.shaffer8655]

former Marine

[@Cheers7076]

Yearrounder..is David in Florida?? I'm noticing the tropical plants Desperately Seeking a good honest Florida Airman🙏

[@tanktexas]

Yuuut devil dog 🙌

[@sunking2001]

Your video and a couple more helped save me $380 from two HVAC contractors who were willing to charge that much to clean my condenser. What a bunch if slithering snakes they can be! WOW...they won't make any money from me, but, they will make money from other people. Videos like yours and various other videos here on KZbin are a Godsend. Thank you!

[@raymondtakeall4803]

Are they snakes or honest people charging you fair price for the labor involved?

[@MRM-wp4gr]

Most of them/ a lot of them are lying thieves. I do handyman work and can change capacitors on ac units when there is a problem. The capacitors do go out once in a while, and are very easy to replace, and very cheap too ($10-$15). I only charge $60 to do it. One ac unit I went out on because it was not cooling enough. I found that everything was working fine, but the indoor evaporator coils (you can't see but it is on top of heater unit enclosed in sheet metal) and the copper line going to the outside condenser was completely iced up! So I shut it off overnight to thaw out. I also checked the filter because the top 2 main causes of ac icing are clogged/dirty filters and refrigerant undercharge. The filter was very dirty, so I changed that, but I also told him to call someone up to check the charge because it was probably low, and I didn't have any r22 anyway to put in it. He had someone come out the next day to check it out. He got charged $380, and all the guy ended up doing was putting in a new fan capacitor. I had put in a new fan motor a year ago along with a new run capacitor, and I new from the initial check I did that the fan was working perfectly fine. The guy never even hooked up gauges to the unit! The unit was working fine when the guy turned it on because it had completely thawed out, and the filter was already changed. So really what he should have done if he didn't want to hook up his gauge set was to charge him $80 for a service call. I just wish I had been there to stop it. I really hate to see people getting ripped off!.......And they almost always tell the homeowner that they need a whole new AC that will cost $10k -$12k.Talk about getting ripped off!!! A new AC and heater and evap core only costs the company anywhere from $3k to $5k, and then they TRY to charge the customer $6k-$7k profit for a day or 2 to install a new unit! These guys are the king of thieves! Along with car dealerships :)

[@tomc.2808]

@@raymondtakeall4803 slithering snakes - is a correct answer...

[@raymondtakeall4803]

@@MRM-wp4gr Handy man work not trained or licensed professional, that's like going to drug dealer them telling you doctors ripped you off lol. Capacitors shouldn't go bad in year, you get what you pay for. Most places in my area north east capacitor, is minnum of $200. Anyone can do it for less like anything else cause they're not running a company where you have overhead cost. Yes really cheap units such as goodman are $3 to 4k, with cheap parts put it once again you get what you pay for. Being critical of pricing is good to an extent. When you buy a new car, do you tell them your getting ripped off? The actual price of car what it's resold for is significantly higher. When you go your doctor and writes a script for pill that cost $ 20 to make they charge 100 times that amount do tell them they're ripping you off?

[@MRM-wp4gr]

@@raymondtakeall4803 $200 for a capacitor replacement for a home Ac repair from a company is acceptable. I know that they need to make a living.The example I gave above is pretty typical tho, at least in my experience. Just 2 weeks after this guy claimed that he put in a new capacitor, for $380, the ac quit working. Turns out that this brand new capacitor that was supposedly installed went bad already. I put in a new one and it was working again. I see these guys charging seniors $12,000 for Goodman, or comparable units. Besides Goodman has a better rating than many more costly brands. I have installed many $10 to $12 capacitors in home AC's that are still working after 5 years. I say it again, the heating and AC business is full of THIEVES that take advantage when they can! These guys know that when it's hot, people are probably gonna go with the first bid that they get, and vice versa when it's cold and the heater goes out

[@shermanmace3773]

Had air conditioners for 50 years and never cleaned one till this summer. Got a new one about three years ago and looked at it this summer and it was solid with grass trimmings. I sprayed the best I could with water, but tomorrow I will get some of that cleaner and do it again. Thanks for the info.

[@frandanco6361]

Sherman Mace -- You do not need a cleaner if all you have is grass clippings on the coils.. Water sprayed from the Inside of the condenser (Take off the top first) all the way up and down the coils will push the dirt, etc., that got sucked into the fins..

[@periwinkle4534]

I also replaced 30yo a/c last year then this year when maintenance check guy told me it needs cleaning fr all dirt / lawn debris, i cleaned it with water but only fr outside, now 2 months after checkup, it doesnt cool. 😱

[@joeriggs8953]

Thank you for this video! It has helped us tremendously to hopefully get a few more years out of our 27 year AC that has worked very good now it will work even better. Your video was very easy to follow!

[@triciarussell7836]

Thank you! Very simple explanation and demonstration that will save us a bucket of money and lengthen the life of our system! :)

[@mikecustenborder3991]

I tried this today without the soap. Water surprisingly washed out the debris. Nice.

[@tripjet999]

For years, we've used Dawn dishwashing liquid to help clean the coils - never needed coil cleaner. Also, the compressor bag cover should be removed and everything carefully cleaned. If the cover has broken down (lots of cracks), replace the cover.

[@kellyspann9845]

I've always use Dawn soap in a spray bottle or hose end sprayer and it has always worked great for me. I do it a couple of times a year. It really makes a difference and is cheap and safer than chemicals.

[@dinodino6907]

Is that Down dishwasher soap?

[@kellyspann9845]

@@dinodino6907 No. It's Dawn dish soap Blue in color. I use about a quarter of the bottle in a gallon sprayer and if you don't have a sprayer you can mix it in a bucket and slowly pour it from the top and let it run to the bottom and rinse it after a minute or two. Works great .

[@kellyspann9845]

@Preston Starr Your welcome and glad it worked for you. It's pretty good stuff.

[@anitarushlow4022]

Good to know. I have some of the newer Dawn Foaming dish soap. I was thinking about trying it. Do you think it will work? TIA

[@kellyspann9845]

@@anitarushlow4022 It should be fine but you might want to fill your sprayer or bucket or what ever you use with water first then put your soap in last so it won't all turn to foam before you spray it on. Just leave it on for a couple or so minutes before you hose it off. Should be fine.

[@doolittlegeorge]

Good case for building up and having Central A/C right here absolutely. Priceless advice either way with great comments too.

[@ladytiaonyx9920]

Great video. Off to Home Depot to get some coil cleaner.

[@fazirali6247]

Maintenance is very important on almost everything thanks for your time and effort you did a great job 👍🏼

[@richardcvlr5]

I worked in the ref business and i think you did a good job with this video.

[@Liveharley1]

Thank you, it's a good reminder of why we needed to always clean it.

[@ronaldmeldrum5576]

There is also a product called Foaminator, most plumbing supply stores carry it. It’s a 2 part mixture. Enough for a 2 gallon sprayer. Mixes with water. Just spray it on, wait several minutes. Don’t let it dry. Rinse with a garden hose and your system coils will look like new. You don’t need high pressure the Foaminator eats and removed everything.

[@ronzo7238]

Thanks Dave! I just bought my first home and will save $$ cleaning my AC coils myself.

[@letsworkforabetterworld4876]

You also need to learn about electrical issues, plumbing, landscaping..........😄😄😄😄 good luck 👍

[@ducc764]

Yes, make sure you have a meter to check MFD and amp draw. Other than that who needs technicians?

[@olivial9402]

Thank you David! You saved us the money hiring somebody to do it.

[@jahltdyt]

Great Job David! I have a 2020 RHEEM 1.5 Ton that was frozen outside and by diffuser in the furnace froze up 30%-50%. Causing a breakdown of the complete cooling system. I turned off the AC on my thermostat but allowed the furnace fan to run defrosting the big copper gizmo inside the furnace. I put in a summer-friendly lite air filter to increase airflow. Made sure my vents throughout the house were open so the air didn't back up causing an air circulation nightmare. Hoping cleaning the outside coils will get the circulating cold air and stop freezing up!

[@moeb4348]

If the system is icing, cleaning the outdoor unit will add to more icing. You are icing due to low operating pressures and therefore lower operating tempuratures. If you clean the condenser, you will lower the both the operating pressure and tempurature. Icing will persist. You need to insure the operating tempurature of the indoor evaporator coil is above 32 degrees. You may have an indoor air flow issue (e.g. dirty filter, dirty evaporator coil, fan motor issue, impeller issue, low refrigerant charge will turn a properly operating 38 degree coil into a 25 degree ice maker. A real dirty outdoor coil will raise the operating tempurature of both indoor and outdoor coils 10 to 20 degrees. So, cleaning the outdoor coil, although a necessary venture, will cause lower operating temperatures and will not cure an icing problem!

[@thssxmonky]

Rule of thumb is start the rinse inside spray out then rinse the outside starting at the top and work your way to the bottom. Also the newer all aluminum coils recommend clean with water only and do not use coil cleaners.

[@janetnoel7158]

This program is very interesting

[@fernandopenilla3691]

Right coil cleaner is not good for aluminum for cleaning better water and soap only

[@2wwwilly]

I use dish soap n water...very dirty clogged fins I use water jet ..

[@JB-ex8kl]

Even better… I use shop vac with a soft brush to remove all the dry crap first, then re-assess if you need to use water.. I DON’T use chemicals!!

[@jeraldineclark5163]

Weak dawn solution , weak and Rinse well.

[@DOLRED]

I use the foaming spray cans and you have to buy the proper size. A 19 Oz can will handle an average size, tower type unit. As you say, it is important to force the water from inside to out as this is reverse of the operation in use. The fan pulls the air into and up through the unit, exiting at top.

[@maryhall7464]

I like your work ethics. I believe you care how you do your job.

[@SomeRandomdude857]

As a 30 year HVAC contractor. Here are the proper steps: Turn off power Remove condenser fan top assembly Flush condenser coil from inside and outside with water hose ( high flow,low pressure) Spray coil cleaner of your choice- generously. Let stand for 5-10 minutes. Using hose,flush cleaner from coil cleaner from coil, starting at top inside of coil (angle spray downward) and working to bottom on each side. Continue until water flush clear. Assembly and let dry. Wipe cabinet clean. Power up. Enjoy.

[@debe1395]

Was just thumbing thru and saw this video. Did not know this but will be doing this soon. Also good info from comments. Thanks!!

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

Thank you for your video, I had my AC. Revamped, but the AC compressor is under sized for the house. I have a compressor with two fans used to have three like yours. Got to get another compressor straighten it out, AC runs all day, without shutting off.

[@MDR-hn2yz]

Great advice to keep your wife happy!

[@jimmy1154]

Make sure if you have mulch around the base that it's not blocking water from draining away from the base of the unit. The landscapers in my condo complex recently added too much new mulch around my Carrier unit.

[@Chad_N_Stacey_Hopson]

Always great videos!! Also guys, make sure to not pressure wash or use high pressure on your coils. you do not want to bent the coil fins.... Some units may be different, such as Trane/American standard coils, and some of the new microchannel coils(tough like a cars radiator) are real nice and easy to clean.

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

Thank you for your comment and thank you for watching

[@JT-sl3ui]

@@bluecollarmillionaire4lifequack

[@iammine512]

Excellent simple to understand video. Thank you sir.

[@rhondastephens7438]

Thorough and easy to follow instruction. Definitely recommend!

[@DUMPSTERMIKEMEDIA]

THANKS DAVID ‼️‼️‼️👍👍👍 I JUST LOOKED AT MINE ( 2 UNITS ) ( ONE CURRENTLY BROKEN WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT COMPRESSOR WITH HOME WARRNTY AHS .... ) AND BOTH ARE CRAZY FILTHY LOOKING. REDICULOUS FILTHY LOOKING. I'M GONNA CLEAN THEM TODAY OR TOMORROW. THANKS FOR THE GREAT VIDEO ‼️ MUCH APPRECIATED 👍 💯 👍 💯

[@bhawkpilot4714]

Thank you for this. I’m hoping this helps me get below 75 tomorrow morning. New build two years old and hasn’t been cleaned.

[@YuvaJuba]

I'm going to do mine very soon. Thanks for sharing. I thought you should wash it off from the inside out.

[@orlandoreyes3503]

Thanks a lot guys like yall is the only reason i can get stuff done right around the house

[@BluePlanet470]

A few drops of Dawn dishwashing soap in a hand held pump sprayer works well to clean the dirt and debris away. Just let it soak in for 10 minutes or so then spray the coils with water. Make sure all of the soap has been washed away.

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

I am going to do that this weekend, hopefully it'll help.

[@cornflakeusa]

I wash mine every year in the spring. Turn off the electric, then I remove the fan bolts and lift the fan up with a rope. I put a nail under my eve to hold the rope. That keeps my fan up out of my way. Then I vacuum out any leaves in the bottom of the unit. Then I remove the outside grills and wash the coils. I like washing from the inside first, pushing all I can toward the outside. I have used coil cleaner first which seems to work well but sometimes they are sold out so I'll just use water alone. I wish the A-coil was this easy to get to. It's inside my hot attic. That's a winter job.

[@jeanl4432]

Thanks! I’m on the beach & need to start washing my 2 units to get the salt off. Just dropped $11K for 2 new outside units & 1 inside. I can’t afford the typical 3-5 year life expectancy of coastal ACs.

[@mikefox7016]

Thanks for the how to. I thought I was going to vacuum the coil, probably not the best idea..

[@albertagyemang1425]

This video is ery informative and educative. I will have my AC guy clean it up. Thank you .

[@balkanacbosanac]

I have 500 units that I am managing I use only water pressure it cleans good

[@josephmarino2048]

I will definitely be cleaning my new heat pump coils after seeing this video. Will too much pressure bend coils?

[@SuperReznative]

Yes,.. too much pressure.. wil... 👍🇨🇦

[@eduardourena7018]

Great idea sir I’m going to do that right away on my unit

[@alfonzoford5887]

David, you are the man!.

[@tristinkirby]

Nice informative video. Thank you

[@mickster1780]

thanks Mr Jones. mine needs cleaning and i think i can do it!

[@psumait5157]

Hey David, I was wondering if the cooper pipes in the unit are suppose to get wet when running

[@balkanacbosanac]

You need only water pressure to clean it.No cemicals needed

[@svtcontour]

wouldnt it be better to spray from inside out if the air is being pulled inward?

[@gustavovega9921]

Thank you for the educational video

[@orlandezpierre2461]

Thx sir..my confidence is getting high..and im real comfortable when im infront of unit

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

Thank you for your comment and thank you for watching

[@catfish24]

Thanks for posting this. Good job.

[@Randylazz]

Very important and useful tips.........😎

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

I always appreciate your positive responses thank you

[@perryfroze]

Seek the Lord and saviour Jesus Christ before it's too late. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Hell is real and Heaven is also real. You don't want to spend an eternity in Hell torment without God. The only way to escape Hell is to follow Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Study the KJV Bible to know more and pray and seek until you find Jesus. Don't delay tomorrow might be too late. You are not promised even the next minute. Do it now

[@Jay_Dahl]

It would have been interesting if you would show the pressures before and after, and calculate the electric/BTU savings

[@rodfroelich5908]

Very good information.

[@lawrenceleask9670]

It would help if you cleaned in the counterflow direction (from the inside), all you need is a long reach hose

[@hamana2011]

Thanks for such a great video

[@cosandraodame7623]

I use Dawn detergent mixed with water good video though. I would be curious to know how long do you have to let a draw before you turn back on the electricity. I know that it when it rains it rains right on it when it's moving.

[@barrygrant2907]

This "Rinse from the inside--No, rinse from the outside" debate is pointless. The coil cleaner is going to loosen dirt and put it into suspension (that how soap works) and rinsing from any direction or both will flush the dirt through and down with the water flow. Gravity works both from the inside or outside. The only thing I'd recommend different from the video is to vacuum up as much of the grass and loose materials as possible first, then wash and clean.

[@colejster]

Just wondering about the cleaner that you used. Is it safe to use? Environmentally friendly? Is it going to damage any vegetation or veggie garden that may be nearby?

[@elinorrector6239]

Ty, wonderful vid, good advice!

[@vincentleopizzo726]

Great video very informative thanks

[@sheltdog8463]

Rinse from inside out, top to bottom with low water pressure! High pressure will bend the coil fins!

[@balkanacbosanac]

No it will not

[@zzman5306]

Definitely don't use a power washer

[@YuvaJuba]

@@balkanacbosanac yes it will and very easily.

[@TheWanko11]

Excellent!!!! Thank you👍👍👍👍👍

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

😊 Thx You

[@billpotter9716]

Excellent video.

[@elc2k385]

I will clean my new AC now.

[@abelgarcia6992]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@craigjohnson4271]

Doesn't hurt to wear kitchen gloves, mask, long sleeves, and pants, while messing with coil cleaner, especially if you use a pump sprayer, or hose adapter. This same principal applies to your refrigerator, but you typically don't need coil cleaner, just a long coil brush, and a shop vac--that can extend the life of your fridge for a good while.. Those two things, along with draining your hot water heater every year or two, and your house will stay happy.

[@Rob-BC]

When you rinsed the condenser, why did you spray from the outside, and push the dirt BACK IN?

[@orlandoreyes3503]

Love this video

[@joevaldivia6733]

Good job good advice 👍

[@zsynhgd]

thanks for sharing!

[@jackfarrell4727]

Thank you for the great information

[@rr637]

Great job Thank you for the video

[@handduggraverdronline]

I do this even when I'm scrapping them. Makes for a much cleaner tear down

[@stevenstyles2363]

Thank you ,Sir.

[@alejandro020569]

Thank you sir for the info

[@ltorres871]

Do I have to let the unit dry completely before turning it back on?

[@Stevexnycautomotive]

Oh mi. I love making drinks with at green stuff. Love the flavor like mountain dew.

[@DanL57]

???

[@zbubby1202]

"It'd be like you going down the road with a mask on, you can't breathe." Well that aged well lol

[@Thoughtfulbuildsllc]

Killer video!

[@americanking253]

Well done.

[@frandanco6361]

It seems to me, that if the Air is being Pulled Through the Coils from the Outside, wouldn't it be Best to Start Rinsing from the Inside to the Outside??? Why push the dirt further into the coils spraying them from the Outside, first?? Perhaps there is a really small outlet you can use to screw into the hose, so it will fit easier in there with the fan blades in the way..

[@Alexm920]

Agreed, most other demonstrations and guides recommend cleaning from the inside out, particularly in units that might have multiple layers of coils.

[@smjj08]

I agree, the others have the cleaner sprayed inside, then spraying from inside out, never from outside in.

[@subforceusa694]

Your 100% right, good observation and what you stated is exactly how I was taught working in the field in Arkansas from guys that did it all the time. Back in the 80s and early 90s.

[@zambalic1]

Thanks. Very much. I have 22 heat pumps to clean.

[@mansourramzey7711]

From your experience, what brand of ac unit has less issues. If you can name some. Tks I enjoy watching your videos, i live in monroe Louisiana. Tks Mike

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

Raheem air conditioning Thanks for watching

[@mansourramzey7711]

@@bluecollarmillionaire4life you mean rheem

[@frandanco6361]

@@bluecollarmillionaire4life Raheem??? Wow !! Middle Eastern A/C Units???? Well, they would have Much Experience with Heat... :)

[@er5650]

Yes.sir...I learn today.. thanks

[@callmeworm8441]

I love the part (probably wasn't intentional) it's like driving down the road with a mask on 😂😂😂

[@zackiinu7194]

Great video. I never even knew these had to be cleaned. Can I just use Dawn liquid dish soap mixed with water instead of coil cleaner, or does the coil cleaner add some benefit (e.g., anti-corrosion agent)?

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

Very very lightly but yes You must make sure it’s washed off well absolutely no suds left on the fins because it will create a sticky surface for debris to collect When it dries thx you

[@specialk5548]

When I go out stealing ac units I always look for the clean ones 👍💨

[@handduggraverdronline]

Make sure to shut power off. Especially if your cleaning from the inside out. Last thing you want is that fan motor to kick on while arms down inside there

[@PBS-nm1uu]

please do one on parallel wiring on a capacitors, no one gets it right, example you have a fan, herm and common,

[@NYRican1505]

Dumb question but do you have to turn off the ac from the electrical panel before doing all this? Or is it ok to just leave on?

[@AH-xf6cp]

Make sure the unit is totally off. That fan could take a finger

[@anitarushlow4022]

Thanks for this video. My question is this: Do you need to remove the other 2 sides of the a/c unit when cleaning? I saw you remove 2 sides but was wondering about the other 2 sides.

[@timm.1049]

Same question. I’m sure it’s a silly question, but were you just taking off the two sides to show you should remove all covers at once or do only certain sides need cleaned? I’m assuming you normally do two on one side, button it up, then do the other two sides, correct? And is there any validity to people saying only use dish soap on new coils?

[@matthewvalentine3549]

Yo. An remove all sides if it's not been done in awhile. Also make sure the bottom drains are clear

[@Andres_OnTheRise]

Would a pump sprayer work better??

[@wayawolf1967]

I LOVED the mask comparison !!!!

[@yroncekenold878]

Good job

[@walterdowns3389]

good job

[@maddogcharm]

David thanks for this video. I have a Trane AC in a beachfront condo in East central Florida. The condenser is up on the roof. We’ve been here for 18 years and I just bought our third AC for our apartment since 2003. They rust out and then eventually fall apart. Should I be doing this more frequently than once a year? Is there anything I can apply to the outer body to stave off rust, like turtle wax or something else? Of course I would avoid getting any wax on the coils themselves. Will I void my warranty if I take the panels off like this? And I read in comments not to use this coil cleaner on aluminum fins - we have Trane, so I assume this product should be avoided on Trane spine fins. Hope you can answer these questions, and thanks again!

[@stephenantonicelli7069]

Salty air if living near ocean.

[@stephenantonicelli7069]

Rust from your location are on anything metal, due to salty in air.

[@rgruenhaus]

Why have I never seen an AC GUY do that with the outside or inside coils? Is it supposed to be part of a maintenance check? The last guy didn't seem to think it was a good thing to check the PURON!

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

change companies

[@rocko6439]

My AC maintenance was done today and the guy did clean the fins and he suggest not using a pressure washer because it will damage the fins. Before replacing my old central air, I had a maintenance contract with HomeServe and I don't recall them ever cleaning the fins. The maintenance contract I have now is with the company who install the new central air.

[@silvergrandam2002]

Spray from inside out first then outside

[@jec_ecart]

Right.

[@charronfamilyconnect]

Thanks for the video. Maybe this is my problem. My AC is running but the temperature in my home is remaining fairly steady and not getting cooler or hotter, and my AC just shut off on its own maybe cause it got overheated. Do you think the problem is with my condenser coils and if I clean it like you did here my issue will be resolved. the AC is only 3 years old. Can I just wash my coils with regular dish soap that is diluted in a spray bottle? Thanks!

[@napynap]

I doubt it. Something else is happening. I'm just seeing this video now and have never done this years after owning my home (no wonder my bill is so high!). Whenever my AC is not blowing cool air, it's usually after a power outage. I've had to turn the AC off, then reset the breaker at the panel, wait for 30 min or so, then turn the AC back on. But I'm not an AC mechanic so your issue could be something totally different.

[@frandanco6361]

@@napynap - If you have to reset the Breaker at the Panel, you may be overheating that electrical line too much and/or the Breaker is very old and not able to handle the load...Too much heat caused by electricity means too much resistance, which if not fixed, can cause a fire.. You should never have to go reset the Breaker because or a power outage... You need to find out what exactly is causing the breaker to trip..

[@beannie60]

I think it's better to start from the inside first then go to the outside after, but what do I know.

[@bluecollarmillionaire4life]

The reason I start on the outside first is because I want to make sure it’s clean enough with the debris from the inside to make it to the outside hope that makes sense

[@Franisboche]

How often do I do this?