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Outside dirt, leaves, grass and other
debris clog the condenser coils, straining the system.
Once a month, inspect the outdoor unit to insure that nothing
is obstructing the airflow across the coil. Remember, before
you do any work on your condenser unit to turn off the
power at the disconnect switch mounted on the wall near
the unit. If you don't have a disconnect switch, turn off
the breaker. If you find that your unit is becoming dirty,
you can follow the procedures below.
Performing Outside Maintenance
- After disconnecting the power, if leaves or other debris
have collected inside the condensing unit, open the unit
by undoing the screws on the top panel and tipping it up.
Remove any debris from the enclosure. Then, reverse the
procedure insuring the screws are replaced before restoring
power. Do not open the electrical panel cover. This is best
left to a certified technician.
- Check to be sure your compressor unit is level. An unleveled
unit will be nosier, less efficient, and cause excessive
wear. Check the level in both directions, making adjustments
if necessary. Be careful how much you move the unit. It
has rigid connections to the electrical and refrigerant
lines. Too much (and it doesn't take much) movement could
cause a refrigerant leak to occur.
- Finally, check the condensate line for a bacterial slime
that tends to grow in condensed water. The condensate line
is the drain that removes water that has condensed from
your indoor coil. Pour a 1:9 bleach-and-water solution through
the line. Find the fitting for the hose, pull it out, and
flush the line all the way to the floor drain. If the drain
is difficult to reach, you may be wiser to call your HVAC
contractor to do the job.
Always be careful when using lawn mowers and trimmers around
your condensing unit. Flying debris can damage the coil and
fins.
See Also:
Selecting a Contractor for Maintnance
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