I go to an HVAC supplier every year and buy this green can of amazing chemicals. Spray the fins, let sit for about 15min, then spray off with a hose. Gleaming, shiny metal.
Comment on YSK: If your house has a split AC unit it probably could use a cleaning
QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
This is why HVAC companies tell you that you need to have maintenance performed on them once a year on each system. That’s not an upsell that’s to maintain the warranty as they literally wont run as well year over year without cleaning and will half the life of your expensive system.
unphazed@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
hddsx@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
Still feels like an upsell. Just take a hose and spray down the coils and/or vacuum.
socialmedia@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Be careful hosing it down or scrubbing it. Those radiator fins are delicate and shouldn’t be bent or broken.
I won’t say don’t do it because I dunno, its probably fine. But watch a how to video or read up on it first. Just don’t put a firehose on it.
hddsx@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
No one is telling you to power wash or scrub. If you rinse it often enough you’ll be fine. If a hose ain’t doing it for you, you are better off getting an HVAC tech to use their special cleaner that is only sold to HVAC techs
felbane@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
…or to anyone who can walk into a big box store and grab a product off the shelf.
kent_eh@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
No, but some people get some carried away ideas when they hear “clean that machine”.
PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat 5 weeks ago
Lol
If you know what you’re doing, then sure. I do not. I know too many stories of people who attacked delicate machinery with their good ideas and then got all surprised when it afterwards functioned worse, and not better.
nightwatch_admin@feddit.nl 5 weeks ago
Don’t. It’s a good way to get mold, and the AC blowing the unhealthy spores around the house.
dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
I don’t think anyone is suggesting you take a hose to your indoor units. How on Earth you would contain the splashback is anyone’s guess.
Use your hose on the outdoor unit. I use compressed air on the indoor ones, like OP. You can buy the cleaning foam stuff, too. Probably from whoever made your split system, in fact. I’ve never found it to be necessary, though.
tal@lemmy.today 5 weeks ago
I mean, I guess that would work, but why wouldn’t you use a vacuum cleaner? I mean, if you’re hitting it with compressed air, now all the dust is all over the room.
hddsx@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
Are you suggesting you hose down an indoor unit?
nightwatch_admin@feddit.nl 5 weeks ago
No, I think I misunderstood.
What I was trying to say: I think there are good reasons for having professionals clean your AC.
QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
Hey, it’s your warranty. They do more than just spray down your coils. They’re checking for pressure loss and leaks as well as cleaning the blower motor and wheel (which is where a lot of issues occur).
hddsx@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
You can take out the blower motor - it’s not that hard.
I’m not sure what to say about leaks and pressure loss. My HVAC tech recently refused to find the issue and just refilled my refrigerant instead….