Condenser Cleaning

When you talk of maintenance of refrigerator and air conditioners, one of the most crucial things is keeping the condenser clean. The coils in the condenser get soiled with dust and grime if not cleaned and then it affects the functioning of the refrigerator or the air conditioner. Calling a professional to repair them after they are in a really bad state can prove to be a real dent on the pockets. Cleaning the coils regularly therefore at home is the perfect solution. Cleaning the condenser is not at all a daunting task.

Cleaning a Refrigerator Condenser

#1
Before you delve into any electrical appliance and especially something like a refrigerator, it is extremely important to switch off the refrigerator and unplug it from the power source. If you are skeptical about your food going bad, there is no need to be worried, because it would not be the case. Even if the refrigerator is switched off, the cooling which has already happened will keep the food from spoiling.

#2
After you have switched off the power of your refrigerator, you would find a grill like cover panel at the bottom front part. Unscrew or remove this panel by snapping it off, you can do either depending on its setting. Then find a plug point for your vacuum cleaner as you are soon going to need it.

#3
You have already set the vacuum cleaner, so just turn it on. Use the attachment of the wand and nozzle, your equipment for cleaning out all the dirt and grime collected beneath the refrigerator. Get rid of as much dust as you can from the condenser. The nozzle attachment will be more helpful in cleaning the coils.

#4
Once you are done with the coils, check out the cover plate which would also be dirty. Clean out the grills from that cover plate. Hot bleach water will do wonders to clean the plate. Before you re-install the cover plate let it dry.

#5
You just have to turn the refrigerator on!

Now that we have dealt with the refrigerator condenser, it is a good time to see how to clean the condenser for an air conditioner.

Cleaning the Condenser of an AC

#1
Normally the condenser unit of your air conditioner would be outside the house and so all the debris from the trees and airborne dust is bound to soil the condenser. So, what you need to do is to first clear off the grass, vines or weeds which might have flanked the condenser unit. The air flow could be obstructed by that.

#2
Now you are set to clean the condenser coil. Get hold of commercial coil cleaner. You would get it at any hardware and refrigerator supply store. Flush clean the coil and then let the coil dry.

#3
Now clean the fins using the soft brush for removal of dirt. For reaching them properly, you might have to unscrew and put aside the protective grille. Avoid using water for cleaning the fins. These fins are made of light-gauge aluminum, thus it is advised to be extra careful with them.

#4
In case the fins are bent, straighten them with the help of a fin comb. That comb is designed in a way that it slides into spaces between the fins.

#5
To ensure that the concrete pad on which the condenser rests is level, just check it once. If it is not leveled, keep the carpenter's level front to back and then side to side on top of the condenser unit. Lift the pad with pry bar if the pad would not budge easily. Force gravel or rock under the concrete to make the pad level.

Air cooled condensers should be paid extra attention to, while cleaning. In addition to that, the above method is applicable to sub zero condensers as well. This is where I sign off!