cleaning the condenser coil in my condo - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

shadrock · 07-06-2005, 04:47 PM

my ac has issues. The guy that fixed it says there was a freon leak and recharged it. It now worksbut he says it will run out again. Also, the condenser coil inside my condo is clogged up really bad. He of course says replace it for 3-4K. The system is 20 years old so I am sure it is on its last legs but I am planning on moving in a year or two so I really don't want to fork over the money to do that. My options as I understand it are:

Pay someone to use some serious chemicals to clean out the condenser coil. Around $350 I think.

Shell out the 3-4K for a new system.

Or do nothing and hope the freon leak is very slow then hope the housing market contiues as it is now and someone will submit a contract that does not include a provision for an inspection as part of the contract.

If I go all out and get the new system I will probably have to get a HELOC which I am not entirely adverse to. Anyway, what would you do?

scout · 07-06-2005, 06:10 PM

I happen to do HVAC-r for a living and if someone wants to charge you 350 dollars to clean your condensor coil you are getting ripped off.

Most air conditioners are put together with either 1/4" or 5/16 " screws. Go to the hardware aand purchase you one of each. You will also be able to use both on your furnace as most furnaces are also put together with one or the other.
Next remove the equipment disconnect bar or turn off the breaker to the condensing unit.
Next hook up your hose and hose the living shit out of the coil. If you have any type of basic household cleaner you can spray it on the coil to remove any residue. Be sure and hose the cleaner off really good then rinse it off again. Spray the hose from the inside out if possible a few times then the other way for awhile.
Next put your covers back on.
Next, roll up your hose.
Next turn your unit back on.
Pretty fuckin' simple. Don't let someone rip you off for 350 dollars to do that.

Depending on where the leak is located is directly related as to how long the refrigerant he added will last. If your leak is at the condensor or in the liquid line then the refrigerant won't last but a few days. If it is in the suction line or evaporator it might last the rest of the year or several years. If anyone wants to charge you 3500 or 4000 dollars for a condensor only you are getting screwed. You should be able to have the furnace, coil, lineset , condensor unit etc. replaced for that amount of money. If not let me know where you live and all your particulars {model #'s and serial #'s etc.} with a couple pics of your layout and I will come change it myself for that plus a few beers LOL.

If you do have a leak and your unit is 20 years old you will probably have to bite some sort of bullet when you sell the house unless you can provide some sort of paperwork where you have had the unit serviced on a regular basis and there is no problems. One thing to keep in mind if you are even considering changing out your A/C unit and can afford it now is the time. Next year your government has mandated that all A/C and heat pump units have a minimum efficiency rating of at least a 13 seer, up from a 10 seer that is required now. What this means to you the consumner is it will add anywhere from 25-50% onto the cost to replace.

Good Luck.

kazoo · 07-07-2005, 07:39 AM

If the coil that's dirty is inside your condo, it's an evaporator. The condensing coil lives outside and usually doesn't get clogged unless grass and leaves have blocked air passage.

Provided you can gain access to it, vacuuming, compressed air, and treatment with a spray bottle of something like Alka-Brite followed by a water rinse (don't let dust and crap clog the condensate drain line from the evaporator) will improve performance. Address the root cause-why is the evaporator filthy? Proper fitting filters do much to preclude that.

Finally, there's a leak sealing product for R22 based residential systems which sells for around $50 at HVACR and appliance parts distributors. That might be a cost saving way to get you through this.

canuckguy · 07-08-2005, 08:22 AM

I hope your able to get it fixed easily and cheaply but are you sure that screwing over the person who happens to buy your place is a good idea? If you don't get it repaired you can always disclose that info to the next owner as an FYI. I know that in my area that you have to disclose and sign off on heating/AC, whether it works, need of repair, untested..etc even if the home is inspected or not. If the next owner finds out you knew there was an issue and screwed them over...not sure if your legal bound by that or if its just karma.

shadrock · 07-09-2005, 11:43 AM

It is inside so it must be the evaporator. I can get access to it. I tried to get at it the other day with a vacuum but everything was gunked up and wet, probably from condensation so the vacuum was less than effective. Kazoo, do you know the name of the sealer? Is that something I can do myself and do you know ovf anywhere I can find instructions? It has stayed cool in my condo for the past few weeks so it must not be the fastest leak in the world.

As far as why it is gunked up, I think it is just that it is 20 years old and over the years something is bound to get by the filters no matter how good they claim to be. I'm quite sure it has never been cleaned.

The 3-4k quote was to put a whole new system in altogether.

I am fairly sure this was an existing problem the prior owner knew about. I hear you on the karma thing, but at the same time, when you buy a place with a 20 year old ac system you do expect problems. At least I did when I moved in. thats why I got a home warranty. The warranty won't cover the evaporator though because of the dirty clogging issue which they say has to have been preexisting because of the extent of the clogging.

kazoo · 07-09-2005, 09:36 PM

You've got to let everything dry before a vacuum will be effective, and even then it's iffy. Try using a short bristle brush to sweep the crud off of the fins. Don't become aggressive, because if you bitch up the fins, that will reduce airflow over the coilset. I don't recall the name, but unless you're a certified refrigerant technician with appropriate tools and training, you shouldn't be messing with the refrigerant system. None of the shops I deal with would sell it to you if you weren't on their list of techs with a cert.

07-06-2005, 04:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
shadrock Crazy	cleaning the condenser coil in my condo my ac has issues. The guy that fixed it says there was a freon leak and recharged it. It now worksbut he says it will run out again. Also, the condenser coil inside my condo is clogged up really bad. He of course says replace it for 3-4K. The system is 20 years old so I am sure it is on its last legs but I am planning on moving in a year or two so I really don't want to fork over the money to do that. My options as I understand it are: Pay someone to use some serious chemicals to clean out the condenser coil. Around $350 I think. Shell out the 3-4K for a new system. Or do nothing and hope the freon leak is very slow then hope the housing market contiues as it is now and someone will submit a contract that does not include a provision for an inspection as part of the contract. If I go all out and get the new system I will probably have to get a HELOC which I am not entirely adverse to. Anyway, what would you do?

07-07-2005, 07:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	If the coil that's dirty is inside your condo, it's an evaporator. The condensing coil lives outside and usually doesn't get clogged unless grass and leaves have blocked air passage. Provided you can gain access to it, vacuuming, compressed air, and treatment with a spray bottle of something like Alka-Brite followed by a water rinse (don't let dust and crap clog the condensate drain line from the evaporator) will improve performance. Address the root cause-why is the evaporator filthy? Proper fitting filters do much to preclude that. Finally, there's a leak sealing product for R22 based residential systems which sells for around $50 at HVACR and appliance parts distributors. That might be a cost saving way to get you through this. __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

07-09-2005, 11:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
shadrock Crazy	evaporator It is inside so it must be the evaporator. I can get access to it. I tried to get at it the other day with a vacuum but everything was gunked up and wet, probably from condensation so the vacuum was less than effective. Kazoo, do you know the name of the sealer? Is that something I can do myself and do you know ovf anywhere I can find instructions? It has stayed cool in my condo for the past few weeks so it must not be the fastest leak in the world. As far as why it is gunked up, I think it is just that it is 20 years old and over the years something is bound to get by the filters no matter how good they claim to be. I'm quite sure it has never been cleaned. The 3-4k quote was to put a whole new system in altogether. I am fairly sure this was an existing problem the prior owner knew about. I hear you on the karma thing, but at the same time, when you buy a place with a 20 year old ac system you do expect problems. At least I did when I moved in. thats why I got a home warranty. The warranty won't cover the evaporator though because of the dirty clogging issue which they say has to have been preexisting because of the extent of the clogging.

07-09-2005, 09:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	You've got to let everything dry before a vacuum will be effective, and even then it's iffy. Try using a short bristle brush to sweep the crud off of the fins. Don't become aggressive, because if you bitch up the fins, that will reduce airflow over the coilset. I don't recall the name, but unless you're a certified refrigerant technician with appropriate tools and training, you shouldn't be messing with the refrigerant system. None of the shops I deal with would sell it to you if you weren't on their list of techs with a cert. __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

07-06-2005, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
scout Psycho	I happen to do HVAC-r for a living and if someone wants to charge you 350 dollars to clean your condensor coil you are getting ripped off. Most air conditioners are put together with either 1/4" or 5/16 " screws. Go to the hardware aand purchase you one of each. You will also be able to use both on your furnace as most furnaces are also put together with one or the other. Next remove the equipment disconnect bar or turn off the breaker to the condensing unit. Next hook up your hose and hose the living shit out of the coil. If you have any type of basic household cleaner you can spray it on the coil to remove any residue. Be sure and hose the cleaner off really good then rinse it off again. Spray the hose from the inside out if possible a few times then the other way for awhile. Next put your covers back on. Next, roll up your hose. Next turn your unit back on. Pretty fuckin' simple. Don't let someone rip you off for 350 dollars to do that. Depending on where the leak is located is directly related as to how long the refrigerant he added will last. If your leak is at the condensor or in the liquid line then the refrigerant won't last but a few days. If it is in the suction line or evaporator it might last the rest of the year or several years. If anyone wants to charge you 3500 or 4000 dollars for a condensor only you are getting screwed. You should be able to have the furnace, coil, lineset , condensor unit etc. replaced for that amount of money. If not let me know where you live and all your particulars {model #'s and serial #'s etc.} with a couple pics of your layout and I will come change it myself for that plus a few beers LOL. If you do have a leak and your unit is 20 years old you will probably have to bite some sort of bullet when you sell the house unless you can provide some sort of paperwork where you have had the unit serviced on a regular basis and there is no problems. One thing to keep in mind if you are even considering changing out your A/C unit and can afford it now is the time. Next year your government has mandated that all A/C and heat pump units have a minimum efficiency rating of at least a 13 seer, up from a 10 seer that is required now. What this means to you the consumner is it will add anywhere from 25-50% onto the cost to replace. Good Luck.

07-08-2005, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
canuckguy I read your emails. Location: earth	I hope your able to get it fixed easily and cheaply but are you sure that screwing over the person who happens to buy your place is a good idea? If you don't get it repaired you can always disclose that info to the next owner as an FYI. I know that in my area that you have to disclose and sign off on heating/AC, whether it works, need of repair, untested..etc even if the home is inspected or not. If the next owner finds out you knew there was an issue and screwed them over...not sure if your legal bound by that or if its just karma.