HVAC Evaporator Coil Cleaning

[mikenoesis]

What about scavenging the refrigerant before pulling the coil? I think viewers need to know it's the law.

[THE1V]

it's still way cleaner than mine

[KiaraRawks]

Ah we finally got our ac cleaned, we needed exactly what you've done here in this video done to ours. He was originally going to charge 450 to 500 but he cut us a break and only charged 300. :D

[DrZarkloff]

@KiaraRawks Sounds like you got a really good deal.

[KiaraRawks]

Are you guys in Florida and if so where? I don't think my coil box can be cleaned like that since it's inside of the wall....

[DrZarkloff]

@KiaraRawks I live in the Gainesville, Florida area.

[NvrTrustAnyone]

Did willie just suck up a mouse with that shop vac??

[DrZarkloff]

@olumota It could be one or all of these things.

1. You could have a dirty air filter.

2. You could have a bad blower motor or run capacitor or a bad belt if you have a belt driven blower.

3. You could have a dirty evaporator coil.

4. You could have a bad or plugged expansion valve.

5. You could have a refrigerant leak which will make your system low in refrigerant.

6. You could have a plugged liquid line filter drier.

7. You could have a plugged or bad liquid side service valve.

[MaxiVacInc]

200 PSI Battery Operated Coil Cleaning System, search for MaxiJet200 on youtube and watch the video

or go to maxi-vac.com

[DrZarkloff]

@MaxiVacInc WOW! Talk about versatile.

[raeduke22]

What is he doing at the beginning of the video with the torch?

[DrZarkloff]

@raeduke22 removing the evaporator.

[fargley001]

@raeduke22

After removing the refrigerant from the line, not shown on the video, he's breaking the sweat joint with the torch (melting the solder) to remove the coil.

[GUIPETE]

poor willy.......

[BNesha14]

if you turn the filter on the high side the wrong way would that affect the a/c unit from getting cold.

[BNesha14]

what wrong with a/c unit when the suction line do not sweat and the colder it get into the house 75 degree.

[DrZarkloff]

@BNesha14 It could be low in refrigerant or the restrictor has a problem.

[Mr76DRAGON]

Even after a the units been pumped down ?

[DrZarkloff]

@Mr76DRAGON Yes.

[Mr76DRAGON]

@DrZarkloff. Why would you use the torch for a r-22 unit, but use a pipe cutter for the 410a unit ?

[DrZarkloff]

@Mr76DRAGON R410a can be explosive.

[Mooseguy15]

@DrZarkloff seriously r22 is not explosive but r410a is?

[DrZarkloff]

@Mooseguy15 Correct.

[Mooseguy15]

@Mooseguy15 huh funny good thing i still have a r22 window ac hahahahaha 12,000BTU to be exact, i have another question have you ever heard of a magnasonic ACM12000? cause thats what brand it is but i cannot seems to find any info what so ever on it like manual how much R22 it takes i did find out the compressor takes 1100Grams but yeah

[Mooseguy15]

@Mooseguy15 oh also im pretty sure i got this right but just to make sure Low preassure is liquid and high preassure is gas? just wondering and if i was to recover freon i take it from the low preassure copper pipe? right and to recharge is high preassure since its gas and you need no pump?

[cochambarorincon]

NICE JOP

[SnakierGrizzly]

i dont have any access to tools or anything is there a way i can clean it without taking it out?

[DrZarkloff]

@SnakierGrizzly You might be able to clean it in place if you can get access to the return side of the coil.

[SnakierGrizzly]

@DrZarkloff thanks for your reply i dont have the access to it---is there anything i can do manually from the outside that will improve the efficiency of my air conditioner?

[DrZarkloff]

@SnakierGrizzly You might want to call a professional to do the cleaning then.

[Khvac]

Change ur filter more often and u wont have a coil that looks like that.

[zoot21suit]

Just wondering if you had to recover the freeon first before you took off the coils?

[DrZarkloff]

@zoot21suit I just pumped down the refrigerant into the condensing unit.

[chuckbyf1]

How about the heat exchanger? Can you clean some of that up while your there?

[DrZarkloff]

@chuckbyf1 You might be able to.

[ppfflynn1]

why didnt you use tubing cutters to remove coil,just wondering thanks

[DrZarkloff]

@ppfflynn1 We would have used tubing cutters if it were a R-410a system.

[calgal2hulagal1]

Your video's have been extremely helpful....do you have an email address?

[poland2010]

you should of just changed the damn coil

[Thetruthishere11]

can it cause an ammonia type smell?

we sprayed bleach on ours and it helped out. needs better cleaning though.

[DrZarkloff]

@Thetruthishere11 If you clean your evaporator with an approved coil cleaner, it shouldn't smell like ammonia. Just make sure that you rinse real good.

[techman614]

Good

[techman614]

I I want to do hvac as a career now thanks to him

[don50112]

Great video Dr.Z. Thanks for the info. Done mine the the incorrect way before seeing your video, guess I should of looked here first.

[DrZarkloff]

@don50112 Good going.

[don50112]

Thanks for the info Dr.Z. Just finished mine today, carefully with a stiff bristled brush and a shop vac. It would be nice to do it this way, but since access is easy for mine through the rear and the panel on the a-coil removed easily cleaning was just handy.

[Aussie50]

good demo!, seems like a lot of work just for a clean (pump down, removal etc) but it beats getting in there and ending up with half the gunk on you and the floor!

[DrZarkloff]

@Aussie50 Thanks. It is the correct way of doing it.

[jkokuna]

is it? Personally, I'll brush the coil first to get most of the debri off before spraying any type of cleaner or water, your pushing that debri into the coil itself.

[jkokuna]

is it? Personally, I'll brush the coil first to get most of the debri off before spraying any type of cleaner or water, your pushing that debri into the coil itself.

[Megalinda56]

Thank you for posting such an informative video. I was able to find the foaming cleaner at Lowe's and do the job myself, thus saving me about $100. If was easy to do. I did use a wet/dry shop vac to keep the rinse water from going places it should not, worked well, just had to empty a few times. My unit is a dual(a/c & heater) on the roof.

[DrZarkloff]

@wmagheaven If you're referring to a mini-split ductless system then you don't need to pull out the evaporator. You can just clean it in place. Just use a no-rinse coil cleaner.

[freewoodencrosses]

I just replaced my heat exchanger in my furnace and I cleaned the evaporator coil which is right above the heat exchanger and I think it was easier to do it my way than pulling out the entire evap coil... I did not have to unsweat anything.

What do you think...

I could not use a hose though

[DrZarkloff]

@freewoodencrosses I can see how that would work. If you didn't use a hose did you just use a no-rinse coil cleaner?

[freewoodencrosses]

I have a vertical furnace and my evaporator coil is above the squirrel cage bower so I cannot really pump coil cleaner or shoot a hose in here. So how am I to clean the evap coil?

I also don't want to pull the evap coil out because it would have to be pumped down and I don't like opening the lines up . Then pull a vacuum when all done ...

Is there a non wet way to clean evap coil?

I love your videos

Thanks

[DrZarkloff]

@freewoodencrosses You'd have to clean the evaporator exactly the way it was done in this video. You'll need to hire a tech that has the proper equipment to do the job right.

[krob08]

This is so important because doing this can help lower your electrical bill and keep your cooling system in tip top condition for the upcoming summer months.

[rogperdiaz]

Cut the copper don't braze it out

[talisman227]

I do commercial HVAC+R. When I bought my home about A year and a half ago, I was really keen on checking out my existing ac system. it works ok. I did the basic maintenance and cleaning at the outdoor coil, but when it came to the indoor coil, It was completely sealed in the ducting and now way to clean it. I was like WTF!? who is the ass who installed this? i cut and access door and washed the reachable supply side only. After seeing this, I guess its typical to remove the whole coil. How lame

[DrZarkloff]

You're right. There's got to be a way to make residential air handlers and coil boxes so they can be cleaned in place.

[supraman181]

whats are the symptoms of a dirty evaporator coil? besides low superheat

[DrZarkloff]

If the coil is extremely dirty, it could ice up.

[metallistout]

@supraman181 Low suction pressure

[ricgilsr]

I always try to clean evap. coils while still piped in. Any time you open a system you take a chance of contaminating the system. (Green slimmers sux)If I must take the coil out to clean it. I braze the lines closed and add nit. to coil. After I reinstall the coil I would pull into vac. 3 times and break vac. with nit. Then pull vac once more to 400 microns. Moisture is very hard to remove from the system and can lead to all kind of problems. This is not a do it yourselfers job.

[tadaa11]

How often should I clean the evaporator and condenser coil?

[DrZarkloff]

Once per year works great.

[Raven2260]

DRZ great video. My Unit is in my garage. Do you have to remove the evaporator coil to clean it? Is there a way to just clean it without removing it. I saw a article where someone used some type of foam coil cleaner to clean it. It seems that most of the dirt is on the inside of the coil and not the outer half which I can reach easily

[DrZarkloff]

That's is so true. That's why it's important to be sure to get the coil cleaner on the inside of the coil as well as the outside.

[murrmann7234]

thank you for all your advice. Thank You

[MrSample]

Great video, but you skipped some important steps, like removing the whole disconnecting / reconnecting the copper pipes, as well as the coolant. How is that done and is it realistic for an amateur? Hosing and cleaning the coils seems easy enough, but not the piping.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. This is a task for a qualified technician. Amateurs could do more damage than good.

[SPISurfer]

Thank you for showing what is involved. We're DYIers, but no for this job. We're glad to know what's involved and will pay for someone to do it. I'm sure we have a ton of gunk from the drywall dust.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for watching. This is a job for a qualified technician.

[itsonebay]

Hi, I need to do this job myself, but can I do it without removing as long as I keep up with the water runoff?

[DrZarkloff]

Yes. It's a messy job no matter how careful you are. I don't recommend cleaning the coil in place if the air handler is in a closet.

[BRadSleepS]

I was given a quote of 350.00 to "acid" clean my coils. He said it needs to be done every five years. I can't find any information on acid dipping a/c coils. Can you give me your opinion on this?

[DrZarkloff]

It is a good idea to have your coils cleaned with a good coil cleaner. I prefer to use alkaline based rather than acid based coil cleaners.

[abilahvac]

Man looks like somebody doesnt know how to change their air filters!. I recently had to clean a evap coil that was very clogged with dog hair, the homeowners had 2 big dogs that liked to rest up against the return air to the closet. It was insane all the dog hair that accumulated on that thing. I saved all of it in a box to show the bossman

[DrZarkloff]

It's always great to show the crap that you can dig out of an evaporator.

[Wobbly1905]

Refreshing to see a pro share his knowledge.

This is quite a contrast to the smart@ss moderators over at HVAC-Talk forum who think that they possess mystical secrets of the ancients that DIYers are trying to steal.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks

[nahad74]

Dr z is it ok to use white Vinegar on the Evaporator coil then coil cleaner becuase vinegar will kill the mold

thanks

[DrZarkloff]

I wouldn't.

[DrZarkloff]

I haven't been taking a census to prove that but I'd say that's pretty accurate. I don't have a Phoenix G2. Every meter has it's own way of doing things.

[Suiscycho]

Perfect time to clean the blower motor and wheel and check the cap.

[DrZarkloff]

We cleaned the blower off camera.

[mikie2501]

Very nice vid JIm!  :>

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks

[Hungry2Play]

Watching videos like these make me want to take an AC apart and clean it! nice video once again

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. It's well worth the trouble especially if it's been a few years since the last cleaning.

[itscool1968]

its good to see a black tech .

color of skin means nothing to me if you have the skills and the certs thats what matters most.

[Wecamefromthestars81]

That wasn't Willie spraying the coil. I thought Willie was black. LOL

[DrZarkloff]

Yes, Willie was spraying the coil.

[jasweet12]

I noticed an add on the video by google in the atlanta area....did you post the ads or is google just bullying their way into your video....We have been having air condition issues now for 2 years and we have gone through about 8 different repair people... we think its the compressor

[DrZarkloff]

Google puts their ads on my videos because I'm a partner. It works out okay.

[fs1]

Did he notice a difference? I mean as far as the unit working any better.....and in a month or so I'd like to know if the efficiency went up(lower power bill)

[DrZarkloff]

Yes. The air flow increased significantly and the system is removing more moisture than it had in a long time.

[DrZarkloff]

Yes. The air flow increased significantly and the system is removing more moisture than it had in a long time.

[itscool1968]

tell willy to get a new smoke dector if its over 10 years old it has the old out of date horn pattern the new pattern per code is 3 short beeps a pause and 3 beeps pause .

[DrZarkloff]

That's impressive that you could tell the difference.

[itscool1968]

i used to work for code enforcement in my city:)

and actualy all smoke dector makers now say if its over 10 years old replace it.

for each year you keep it over the 10 years the risk of it not working in an actual fire goes up 30% a year .

this came from the fediral fire dept research team:)

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for the info

[itscool1968]

youre welcome i assume you have or will replace youres?

[photocontrol]

Hi Dr.Z, at 5:25 you point out a potential corrosion spot,do you use emery paper to clean off the corrosion or do you have another method of treating the spot?

[DrZarkloff]

All we did was make sure that the cabinet panel didn't rub on that spot anymore.

[PutSome5tankOnIt]

"Don't worry about that beeping sound. That's our complimentary smoke detector test. We don't charge extra for that."

[DrZarkloff]

Good one.

[fyescas777]

Seems like a lot of trouble just removing the coil. How much do guys charge to clean a coil the way you guys did in the video?

[DrZarkloff]

It's really is a pain. I don't know how much an air conditioning company charges. I work for the school board so I don't have to think about customer charges.

[heavyhvac]

well done willie and dr Z

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks

[mechanicwarrior20]

hmm did you pull the refrigerant out of that system or were you able to isolate it to the high side?

[DrZarkloff]

We pumped down the system. Take a look at the video just before this one.

[fyescas777]

On split units is the condenser always charged with refrigerant? And if so do you have to remove all of it to install it?

[DrZarkloff]

Yes, unless you have a way of pumping the refrigerant into the evaporator.

[hotgta]

Dr. Z, i must let the coil cleaner for how long befor i take it off with water?

[DrZarkloff]

I'd let it sit for about ten minutes.

[hotgta]

Ok, thanks alot for the info!!

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for watching.

[CivSiNJ]

what do you do with the lines that are open on the coil? plug them with???

[DrZarkloff]

I just used some foil tape.

[Darvin1964]

Great vid Dr Z.. Keep up good work..

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks

[mazzmari]

How about plugging the lines?

I'm going to assume the next video will be on pulling a vacuum?

[DrZarkloff]

I used foil tape to keep trash and water from going inside of the tubing.

[V8Jagnut]

good vid. i cleaned a lot of coils over summer. i use Totaline Coil Cleaner. i bye a 1Gal bottle of concentrate and mix it in to a spray bottle. i rince the coin out side inside out side. it works nice. i put cleaner on both sides.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. I use a pump sprayer at work to apply the coil cleaner.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. The system is actually working better now that the evaporator is clean.

[Vinylrecordsneverdie]

Great Demo! Those coils seem to be overlooked plenty of times.