Owning a Goodman air conditioning unit at home during a hot season can be a "lifesaver." But when the time comes that the air conditioner's coils need cleaning to maintain and promote its cooling efficiency, you might wonder how to clean those coils on a Goodman air conditioner. We've done the research to help you out with the best answer.
The steps to clean the coils on a Goodman air conditioner are as follows:
- Switch off the unit.
- Unbolt the screws.
- Vacuum the dirt and debris.
- Spray water through the air conditioner coils.
- Reconnect the circuit breaker and the disconnect box.
- Turn on the thermostat.
Cleaning air conditioner coils requires a thorough explanation of each step. Continue reading to have a better understanding of the entire process. Along the way, we'll also answer the frequently asked questions related to the topic, such as what causes the coils to get dirty and how to know if they already need cleaning?
Cleaning a Goodman air conditioner coils
Maintaining a Goodman air conditioner or HVAC system includes cleaning its coils. Clogged condenser coils, if disregarded, could lower the efficiency of your air conditioner, which could lead to a higher electricity bill and possible damage to the entire unit.
While usually installed outside the house, the AC condenser unit sucks in air from the sides and then rejects it out through the top once it starts operating. And so, because of the air movement, it also draws in a lot of debris and dirt. That's why you need to know how to properly clean your air conditioner to enjoy its benefits and avoid damaging the unit.
But before doing so, you have to prepare the needed tools for the cleaning. Note that you will find the condenser coils in your air conditioning unit just behind the aluminum fins, and they comprise copper tubing. So make sure that the tools you're going to use don't have any harmful chemicals that could corrode your fins and coils.
The tools needed include a wet/dry vacuum, flathead screwdriver, garden hose, and a coil cleaning spray.
Click here to see this wet/dry vacuum on Amazon.
Click here to see this AC coil cleaner spray on Amazon.
Step 1. Switch off the unit
Aside from switching off the unit at the thermostat, you also need to disconnect two other power sources. First, turn off the power supply at the circuit breaker. Next, disconnect the power at the disconnect box located outside your house to ensure your safety and prevent any possible electrocution.
Step 2. Unbolt the screws
Next, you should unbolt the screws in your AC condenser unit using the flathead screwdriver. Once the coil and the power wires are exposed, avoid pinching or putting stress on them.
Step 3. Vacuum the dirt and debris
Once you're done unscrewing all the screws that hold the cover of the AC condenser unit, vacuum the accumulated dirt and debris on the coils using a hose or brush. It's a good thing that the Goodman condensing unit's design allows you to clean smoothly, without the need to remove its entire body.
Step 4. Spray water through the coils
After vacuuming the debris and dirt, spray a coil cleaner into the coils. If you don't have an available coil cleaner, you can make your own by using a mild dishwashing detergent, a good amount of warm distilled water, and white vinegar. Mix them all into a spray bottle, and you now have a homemade coil cleaner.
Leave the coil cleaner for a while, and then spray water through the coils using a hose. Ensure that you don't use a power washer or pressure washer when cleaning the fins. The condenser fins are pretty flexible and might bend—the pressure could deform them.
Spray water into the coils until they're clean. Confirm that the water flowing from the AC coils is already clean before turning off the water.
Step 5. Reconnect the circuit breaker and the disconnect box
Once you finish cleaning, fasten the screws back into the condenser unit's body. Next, reconnect the circuit breaker and the disconnect box outside your house.
Step 6. Turn on the thermostat
Finally, turn on and reset your thermostat. To achieve your unit's most efficient operation, we recommend that you should constantly set your thermostat to 78°F.
You might as well watch the video below for your reference:
If you want to learn how to clean an entire Goodman air conditioning unit, check out this post: How To Clean A Goodman Central Air Conditioner
What causes AC coils to get dirty?
AC coils will inevitably start accumulating some dirt in the process of cooling the refrigerant. It happens over time when the condenser coil absorbs debris and dirt from the outside like grass trimmings, lint from clothes dryer, dried leaves, fur, and dust.
What are the symptoms of a dirty coil?
When your condenser coils are dirty, you'll notice these signs:
- During operation, your AC coils start forming some frost and would stop producing cool air. When this happens, it only means that your unit's coil is already dirty. It's mainly due to the condensation process that affects the dirt and then forms into frost during operation.
- You'll notice that your air conditioning unit doesn't produce air as cold as it should be.
- You'll also observe that when you set your air conditioning to a specific temperature, it requires a longer time for the unit to reach the said temperature. This is so because the air it produces isn't as cold as before. Hence, it needs more time to achieve the targeted temperature.
How often should AC coils be cleaned?
As a rule of thumb, you should clean your AC coils at least once a year. But if you live in a dusty and windy, as well as dirty area, then you need to clean your coils more often.
How often you clean your coils will also depend on how much you use your air conditioning unit and how old it is. If you're using your AC unit almost 24/7, that means you need to clean it more frequently. Much more if it's an older unit, cleaning it more often is a must since it readily accumulates dirt.
How do I keep my AC coils clean?
The most effective way of keeping your AC coils clean is by replacing your air filter routinely, at least once a month. Another way of maintaining your AC coils clean is by cleaning the area where your coil is. Get rid of grass clippings, falling leaves, and other dirt and debris.
How much does it cost to have AC coils cleaned?
If you wish to have your AC coils cleaned by a professional, the cost varies depending on your accessibility, location, the type of coil, and the dirt buildup.
For evaporator coils, the basic cleaning fee would range from $100-$400. If you'd like them to be removed and cleaned, the cost would range from $400-$700.
On the other hand, the cost to clean a condenser coil would range from $75-$230.
How long before I can turn on the AC after coil cleaning?
You can turn on your AC unit 1 hour after cleaning the coil.
How long do air conditioner coils last?
The lifetime of an air conditioner coil would last depending on your usage and how you maintain it. If you regularly perform proper maintenance on the unit, the coil would last around 10-15 years.
In Summary
The first thing to do is to turn off the unit. Switch off the power supply from the circuit breaker and detach the AC unit from the disconnect box. After that, unbolt the screws holding the condenser unit. Once done, use the vacuum cleaner to clean the dirt and debris from your coil.
Now, you need to clean the coils using a garden hose. Spray on a coil cleaner into the coils and leave it for a while. Next, spray water through the coils, ensuring they are thoroughly clean. Screw back in the screws and reconnect all the power supplies, including the disconnect box located outside your house.
If you want to learn more about air conditioners, check out these posts before you go:
Delonghi Air Conditioner Leaking Water – What To Do?