Air Conditioning works by exchanging heat from inside a construction to the exterior air. To do this some very basic refrigeration principles need to take place. One of the most principal pieces that make this happen is the condenser coil. This is commonly the aluminum coil the surrounds the air conditioning compressor.
What happens inside this outdoor unit is a very basic state convert of the refrigerant inside the air conditioning unit. The refrigerant that changes from a liquid to a gas inside the indoor coil moves to the exterior where the compressor compresses the gas under high pressure. When this happens the gas also becomes very hot. The hot gas then leaves the compressor to start traveling through the many feet of tubing in the condenser coil. As the gas cools it changes back to a liquid form going back indoors to start the cycle all over again.
Big problems start when the condenser coil becomes so blocked up with dirt that the hot gas in the condenser coil does not cool adequate to convert the hot gas back to a liquid form. If this happens the cooling process does not happen and then air conditioner runs but is not cooling. The compressor starts to get very hot and the extreme consequent will be the death of a compressor. For these reasons the condenser coil must be kept clean and free of debris at all times when the air conditioner is running. Cleaning the coil is a fairly simple process, Here are a few guidelines to consequent when doing this.
To clean the coil a few simple tools are needed. A orchad hose with a nozzle, wrenches to remove the condenser fan, a orchad sprayer for applying the cleaning solution. The first thing is to disconnect the power to the outdoor unit. There should be a disconnect switch of some type near the condenser. Then remove the fan from the condenser unit. commonly this will be the top of the unit. The fan can commonly be laid aside carefully without disconnecting the wires to the motor. carefully wet down the coil with the orchad hose. If you have very high pressure water where you live be specific that the water pressure does not bend over the fins on the coil. These are very thin and fragile. If they get bent over the air will not be able to freely flow through them. Using the cleaning explication from the orchad sprayer, coat he inside and the exterior of the coil. Let the explication work on the dirt build up before washing it off. If you use a foaming type coil cleaner then let the foam cook the dirt out of the coil. Then use the orchad hose to wash the dirt out of the coil. I often work from the inside spraying out through the coil. This is the reverse of the usual air flow and it washes the dirt out easier. Rinse the coil with water till it is clean with no more dirt or cleaner advent out. Replace the fan and start the unit back up.
The cleaning explication for the condenser coil can be any good household cleaner. Many automotive type radiator cleaners will work well. For very dirty condensers it would be good to buy a foaming coil cleaner made specifically for cleaning condenser coils. A local plumbing and heating provide house should stock coil cleaning solutions. Most of these solutions are very strong chemicals. Be sure to wear gloves and eye security when working with them.
By keeping your air conditioning condenser coil clean, you will help to have your air conditioner running at the best efficiency possible. A clean condenser coil is one of the easiest ways to save electric while running your central air conditioning system. A clean coil will allow your compressor to run cooler and help it to last longer. Your condenser coil should be wholly cleaned at least once a year. If in you live in very dirty areas like along a dirt road you may need to clean the condenser coil more often. Also do not do things that would clog up the coil. Blowing grass clippings into the condenser coil is one coarse thing that happens. Keep shrubbery from growing into and colse to the condenser coil. This stops the air flow to the coil. Large flowers planted too close to the coil can do the same thing.
As you can see there are many things that can cause your air conditioner to work harder and cost you more money. By taking a the time to look over things and give it a cleaning you can save a lot of money.
Air Conditioning - Cleaning the Condenser Coil