If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.
The problem with exterior condenser units is that they are exposed to the elements and can get quite dirty. As a homeowner, you need to do your part to ensure that your condenser is clean. Most importantly, you need to clean and maintain your coils and fins. This is the best way to ensure that your AC system is working efficiently. Cleaning your condenser coils and fins is simple work that doesn't require any special tools or training. As long as you have a hose and screwdriver, you can usually clean your condenser coils easily. This article explains the best way to clean your fins and coils.
Turn off Your Unit
Before you work on your condenser unit, you need to shut it down properly. First, turn the thermostat to the OFF position. Then, you need to actually cut the power to the unit. Some unit have a small breaker box mounted to the wall directly above it. If you open this box up, there will be a clearly marked breaker switch. Make sure this is switched off so there is no risk of your AC starting up while you are working on the condenser.
Cleaning the Coils and Fins
The coils and fins are easy to see because they line the inside and outside walls of the condenser unit. They look like sheets of aluminum that have metal ridges. These are called fins and they protect the coils. The space between each fin will commonly get clogged with dirt and dust. This is normal, especially if your unit is sitting directly on the dirt.
The best way to clean your coils and fins is to spray them down with a hose. You might also need some soap to help break up the dirt. Spray the cleaner onto the coils and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then, wash it out with a strong stream of water from the hose. You might need to repeat these steps to remove all of the dirt that is deep inside the fins.
You will also need to clean the coils on the inner will of the unit. You need a screwdriver to remove the bird guard on the top of the unit. Once the metal piece is off you can spray down the inside walls and repeat the cleaning steps.
This simple job is cheap and easy to do. You don't need any special tools or experience to make your AC run a little better. However, if you want more tips, contact a company like PHVAC.
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