How to Clean Condenser Coils in Your Home

HVAC condensers are a vital part of both air conditioners and refrigeration systems in your home. Cleaning and maintaining them is a simple but important practice to ensure the longevity of your appliances.

A condenser is a device in HVAC and air conditioning systems that works to transfer heat out of an area. The condensing unit consists of a fan, the condenser, and a compressor.

The condenser’s job is to pump refrigerant, or coolant, through the system via a series of coils. These coils depressurize the hot, gaseous refrigerant into a liquid, which releases the heat into the air. A condenser fan then blows across the coils, dissipating the heat and leaving behind cold air for the interior of your home or fridge.

When condenser coils get clogged or dirtied, the whole HVAC system begins to decline. The condenser directly links to the overall effectiveness of the cooling process. The other parts, like the evaporator and the compressor, are useless without the heat transfer from the condenser. Your condenser unit might not work properly if you experience spikes in your energy bill, a lack of cool air, leaks, or strange noises.

Many maintenance technicians suggest having your AC system and refrigerator cooling system serviced twice a year. The best times are right around when the seasons change, so at the end of spring and fall. This is because your air conditioner works the hardest in the summer, and your heater works the hardest in the winter. Preparing them both for harsher temperatures with a maintenance tune-up keeps them working at top condition.

Having a professional service your HVAC or refrigeration system is always a good idea. However, there are some things you can do yourself without the need for an HVAC technician or complicated equipment. Cleaning condenser coils every other year is an effective method of preventative maintenance for your condenser.

Just like any other appliance in your home, condenser coils accumulate dust, dirt, and other debris. Especially AC condenser coils, which typically reside in the outdoor HVAC unit. Any shrubbery or plants around or near the unit can get in between the coils and clog them.

When cleaning them, you don’t need a specific condenser coil cleaner, just basic household supplies. Depending on the type of HVAC or refrigerator unit you have, there are different methods you should follow.

AC Condenser Coils

For your AC unit, you can typically find the condenser coils in the large outdoor air conditioning unit on the side of your home. To clean them, you don’t need to dissemble anything, all you need is a standard garden hose with an adjustable nozzle.

First, cut power to your HVAC unit through the breaker on your electrical box. This eliminates the risk of electrical shock when using water to clean the coils.

The reason you need an adjustable nozzle on your hose is to ensure a gentle spray. AC condenser coils are made up of hundreds of thin metal folds called “fins.” Harsh water pressure can bend or damage them, so you want your hose to be on a light setting like “flat” or “shower.”

Hose down one side of your unit at a time, going back and forth from the bottom to the top. The water will push any dirt and debris up and out of the unit. Once you’ve reached the top, you can angle the spray downward through the fins to flush out any remaining dirt. Repeat this upward and downward spray pattern until each side of the unit is thoroughly rinsed.

Once you complete this process, you should see improvement in the speed and efficiency of your air conditioner. Consistently performing AC maintenance twice a year will prevent malfunctions and extend the lifespan of your unit.

Refrigerator Condenser Coils

If you notice your fridge isn’t reaching low enough temperatures, it is likely that your condenser coils are dirty. You can find your refrigerator coils on the back or bottom of your fridge unit. The cleaning supplies you’ll need are a vacuum with a narrow attachment and a long-handled brush.

To clean them, you first want to disconnect the fridge from its power supply and pull it away from the wall for easy access. Once you locate the condensing unit, use a vacuum to get into the crevices between the coils and suck up any dust and dirt. Sometimes, the grime gets stuck to the coils themselves, so use a brush to gently clean off the copper tubing.

Go back and forth between the vacuum and the brush as many times as needed until the coils are dirt and dust free. Cleaning your condenser coils twice a year will make sure you get the most life out of your refrigerator.