With the arrival of spring and the corollary emerging summer, grass excerpts, the blow balls, and cotton flow with winds. The weather is neither too hot nor cold. Certainly, the time of the year when you can think of cleaning your heat pump condenser coils. To acquire maximum heat transfer and an increased level of comfort during the scorching hot summer that awaits. To get the soothing indoor air quality, and aim to save energy, you can take up the role yourself. Some projects do seem to be complicated and expensive but if you plan to take the role yourself, you can end up with effective results thereafter. Alert! Never try to clean the indoor evaporator coils of the heat pump by yourself. That requires certified professionals.
Before getting to the procedure of cleaning heat pump condenser coils, it is always better to know about the working of the condenser coils that we are aiming to revive. When the Air Conditioner is operating, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the indoor air through the medium of evaporator coils. After enough heat gets absorbed, the hot gas gets pumped out through the channel of the condenser unit followed by a fan that dispenses the heat to outer space.
The procedure begins with the requirements of the cleaning mission. What you need for the project is essentially important to gather earlier before you start with the actual task. The important necessities of the ‘heat pump condenser coils cleaning mission’ are:
- Protective gloves, because you ought to take safety measures while dealing with any kind of electrical appliances.
- Sponge, soap, and cloths to wash with,
- Screwdrivers to open the box and reattach it,
- Hose and adjustable nozzle,
- Fin comb (optional).
Now, the procedure is not that tough to follow.
Step 1: Power off!
You have to begin with shutting off the box that is located in some exterior wall within your eyesight. There are different shutoff process for different units. In case there isn’t any shutter box, you have to use the breaker box to disconnect. Please do not miss out to recheck the power before moving on with the next step.
Step 2: The areas around the condenser are needed to be cleaned.
In this step, you are required to clean the surrounding area of the unit. If you wish to derive an efficient airflow, clearance of 2–3 feet is to be done. You have to clear the equipment, shrubbery, or any debris. In case the breathing space of your heat pump gets encroached by any bushes or leaves, you must cut them off.
Step 3: Removal of the Cover.
Then the outer piece of the condenser unit should be removed. The outer piece protects the condenser. You can use any soft whisker attachment to vacuum metal fins that are attached to the box.
Step 4: unscrew and open the top grille to clean the fins.
You have to remove the screws of the top grille propping it open. You are required to be careful about the fan that is attached. Avoid hitting the fan or spraying it with water. Now, you have to clean the condenser fins. You have to make a solution of hot water and soap. Using a condenser cleaning solution is an alternative option here. Be careful about the water pressure. It shouldn’t be set high since high water pressure contributes to bending fins. However, if you also aim to repair the previously bend fins, you can use a fin comb to straighten them. Bent fins give ways to inefficient airflow and much difficult to clean.
Step 5: Wipe out the dirt build-up.
Use a hose to clean up the dirt build up. Keep an adjustable nozzle for a situation of need. Yes, most of the work is now done. All you need now is smart moves for achieving greater benefits.
Step 6: Air dry allowance.
In this step, allow the parts of the heat pump condenser coils to rest and dry. Meanwhile, you can get a power gap from the continuous cleaning mission.
Step 7: Reattach and turn the power on!
Once the water is soaked and the parts of the condenser are air-dry, reattach the outer and top grille back to its place. And, turn the power on!
Hence, you can now enjoy the ‘system longevity’ and save your energy bills parallel to enough comfort during the scorching heat. Maintain and clean up the heat pump condenser coils frequently for extracting maximum efficiency. If not, at least once a year.
