Learning About HVAC Equipment

If you have lived in your home for many years and never serviced the air-conditioning system, you will want to do it as soon as possible. It is good practice to service your AC system every couple of years. This time period partly depends on how often you run your AC and how big your condenser unit is. If you don't have the cash to pay for frequent HVAC services, there are a few things you can do on your own. This article explains one very effective and basically free DIY project for improving the efficiency of your AC condenser.

Where and What are Condenser Coils?

The condenser unit is the large appliance on the outside of your home. It is usually located right next to the sidewall of your property. Since it is exposed to the elements, it can get dirty. If certain components of the condenser get dirty, it will not run efficiently. Perhaps the most vulnerable component of the condenser unit is the coil system. The coils are part of the heat transfer process. They are located on the outside walls of the unit behind a protective metal cage, but this does not stop dirt, leaves, and other debris from being blown into the coils. Since the coils have small gaps between them, the space can get filled with dirt and get clogged. This is a major problem when it comes to the condensing and heat transfer processes. When they are properly working, the coils pull heat away from the condenser fan.

Cleaning the Coils 

You want to try and keep the coils as clean as possible. The best way to clean them is to just spray them down with the hose. However, if it feels like the dirt is not coming out, you can try to use some soap to help break it down before spraying it out. You also want to ensure the coils are straight. They can bend quite easily. If the coils are bent, the heat transfer will be further slowed down. Furthermore, bent coils can trap the dirt and debris. So, you often need to straighten the coils and then spray them down again to remove the dirt that was previously trapped.

This simple condenser clean will definitely increase its effectiveness. It is a cheap way to ensure that your condenser will run efficiently, use less energy and will last for a long time.