Re: Cleaning Air Conditioner Coils

[Guest guest]

I don't know anything about cleaning window AC but I would think they should

be cleaned each year. If not removed from windows I would also think they

should be covered during winter but I really don't know. We have central air and

have ours serviced each spring.

Here goes:

When should this be done?

Should it be done for central a/c?

Is it safe to use a chemical cleaner called Acti-Klean (used by my

HVAC co.) which is rinsed off with water after application?

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[Guest guest]

re: Acti-Klean

I googled it and it does say all those wonderful things about it. But

what exactly are the ingredients? Wouldn't you have to wipe it off

with a damp washcloth afterwards to get rid of the odor? Because when

I use a mild clorox spray in my kitchen, I always wipe it off and

still it takes a while for the odor to dissipate.

llaci

[Guest guest]

We have central air as well. Mine is serviced twice a year. But, when

I asked about cleaning the coils I was told they vacuum them. I am

just wondering whether something more is necessary or if using a

chemical cleaner might be a bad idea.

>

>

> I don't know anything about cleaning window AC but I would think

they should

> be cleaned each year. If not removed from windows I would also think

they

> should be covered during winter but I really don't know. We have

central air and

> have ours serviced each spring.

>

> Here goes:

> When should this be done?

> Should it be done for central a/c?

> Is it safe to use a chemical cleaner called Acti-Klean (used by my

> HVAC co.) which is rinsed off with water after application?

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S.

used car

> listings at AOL Autos.

> (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

The surface of the coils that are exposed are usually the dirtiest as

this is where the dust that bypasses the (useless) filter collects.

(Always use a Web supplemental filter either inside (if it fits

without touching the coils) or at the exterior if it does not fit.

You can HEPA vacuum the coils (do not bend the fins)then blast them

with steam from a good steam vapor machine. (I usually use bleach

spray and water from a hose outside but pressure steam can be

successful.)

Don't forget to clean the blower as it also can get full of mold.

Basically, the entire interior of the A/C should look new when done.

It there are bits of black gunk floating around in the rinse water,

give up and get a new one. And don't allow the coil to get dirty.

We moved this year to a new house but we had to wait 4 months in a

rental which had a through-wall A/C. It was packed with mold, I

cleaned it first with bleach (in place, careful to make sure that the

drips didn't rain on anyone below), then steamed it for over an hour.

After 4 hours, I gave up because I could not get all the mold out,

called the management and within an hour they replaced it!!!

Our new house has central A/C. I did not allow the contractors to run

it at all. Most of the ducts and actual indoor units weren't even

installed until shortly before we closed. The ducts that were in place

in the attic were all sealed from the day they were installed. We have

Aprilaire media filters (MERV-11) and Filtrex pre-filters on every

return. After one season of operation, there is barely a speck of dust

in the system.

A nearly-completed, $4+ million house we recently investigated for a

buyer had pounds of sawdust and drywall dust from construction in the

ducts, in the liners and on the coils .

The buyer (who had bad mold allergies) walked away from the house even

after it had been (inadequately) cleaned, because ultimately, the

sawdust throughout the system would have turned to mold from the high

humidity of the cold air.

Central coil cleaning has to be done professionsally and carefully

inspected afterwards. Usually, some type of chlorine-containing

disinfectant is used.

Keep in mind that if there is fibrous lining laterial, this is also

full of mold and must be replaced. Work should be done under

containment. Do not allow the use of unlined insulation. Foil-coated

fiberglass is fine.

It sometimes makes sense to replace a contaminated fan coil rather

than to clean it since proper cleaning is so expensive and may not be

successful if all the mold is not removed. Clean at the start of the

new season. I am not familiar with Acti-Klean but according the the

MSDS, it contains ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER (which smells but is

water dispersable and can therefore be rinsed away)and DODECYLBENZENE

SULFONIC ACID (which is just a detergent).

Good luck.

C. May

> 16. Cleaning Air Conditioner Coils

> Posted by: " " smarshwar@... smarshwar

> Date: Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:45 am ((PDT))

>

> I have taken to heart the posts regarding the necessity to clean a/c

> coils--I believe it was said each season. So, I've tried to learn a

> bit about the process and have a few questions.

>

> Here goes:

> When should this be done?

> Should it be done for central a/c?

> Is it safe to use a chemical cleaner called Acti-Klean (used by my

> HVAC co.) which is rinsed off with water after application?

>

> Any help will be greatly appreciated. I have become extremely

> sensitive to everything inhaled & ingested so each decision has become

> a " project. "

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sam,

The dust was throughout thre system because the heat was operated

during construction when drywall and floors were being sanded.

Also, the builder didn't want to get the expensive media filters

dirty so they ran the 5 systems without filters. Smart, eh? Saved

$100 and lost a few million.

Jeff

> A nearly-completed, $4+ million house we recently investigated

for a

> buyer had pounds of sawdust and drywall dust from construction in

the

> ducts, in the liners and on the coils .The buyer (who had bad mold

allergies) walked away from the house even after it had been

(inadequately) cleaned, because ultimately, the sawdust throughout

the system would have turned to mold from the high humidity of the

cold air.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

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