- Disconnect power to your air conditioner before doing any work to the outside air conditioner’s bent fins.
- Remove the access panel and wire grille to expose the fins.
- Remove screws and gently lift out the fan and grille.
- Take off the front cover plate to the evaporator coil.
- Match the fin tool’s head with the number of fins per inch on the system.
- Starting at the bottom of the fins, insert the fin tool and move upwards carefully to straighten.
Full Answer
What is the best way to clean AC fins?
The best approach to cleaning AC fins is to use an air conditioner fin comb, or AC fin comb, to gently clean both the condenser and evaporator fins.
How to fix bent or bent fins on air conditioner condenser?
A/C Fins Bent or Damaged on Air Conditioner Condenser 1 Air conditioner condenser fins or coils. The fins on many A/C condenser units get bent over time and the A/C units still work well. ... 2 Protecting your unit. Care should be taken that the fins don’t get bumped or damaged by landscapers and gardeners. ... 3 Maintenance or replacement. ...
Can air conditioner fins be repaired?
Air conditioner fins are delicate and can be bent easily, which can lead to costly, but necessary repairs. Because they are delicate, it’s very important that homeowners never use harsh methods like power washing to clean any part of an air conditioning unit
What are condenser fins on an air conditioner?
The condenser fins are thin metal slats that run along the outline of your exterior AC unit. The purpose of the condenser fins is to move warm air away from the air conditioner while it’s running.
How long does it take to fix an AC unit?
When central air conditioning service fails during a heat spell, you may have to wait days for an HVAC repair technician or an ac contractor to show up, and you’ll probably pay at least several hundred for the repair. But if you’re comfortable working around electricity and are willing to spend about $50 on parts, you can probably repair your air conditioning service yourself in about two hours and save about $225 on parts markup and labor.
How to remove crud buildup under a condenser?
Aim your garden nozzle upward into the top of the condenser coil to remove the crud buildup under the lid.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling the House?
Set your thermostat to AC mode and lower the temperature setting. If the furnace fan kicks in, the problem isn’t in the furnace. If the fan doesn’t run, try resetting the furnace circuit breaker. If the fan still won’t start, call a pro — the fixes shown here won’t work.
What is the AC unit in a home?
Central home air conditioner service systems consist of two major components: a condensing unit that sits outside your house, and the evaporator coil (often referred to as an A-coil) that sits in the plenum of your furnace or air handler. The refrigerant in the A-coil picks up the heat from your home and moves it to the outdoor condensing unit. The condensing unit fan blows outside air through the condensing coil to remove the heat. The condensing unit houses the three parts replaceable by a DIYer: the AC contactor, the start/run capacitor (s) and the condenser fan motor. The condensing unit also houses the compressor, but only a pro can replace that. The A-coil has no parts that can be serviced by a DIYer.
How to disconnect a condensing unit?
Open the electrical box next to the condensing unit and pull the disconnect block straight out.
What to do if compressor doesn't start?
If the compressor starts but the fan doesn't, the fan motor is most likely shot. Shut off the power and remove the screws around the condenser cover. Lift the cover and remove the fan blade and motor. Reinstall the blade and secure the cover. Then repower the unit and see if the fan starts.
What does a blown fuse on a condensing unit mean?
Many disconnect blocks contain two cartridge fuses. Check them before you proceed with repairs. A blown fuse is a sign of a failing part inside the condensing unit. So don't just replace it and think you've solved the problem. Instead, replace the parts, install new fuses, and fire up the unit. If it blows again, call a pro—you've got more serious issues.
What are the fins on an air conditioner?
Air conditioner fins serve two key purposes: keeping the unit safe from weather, debris and lawn maintenance equipment like lawn mo wers and weed whackers, and air conditioner fins also help move warm air away from the unit to keep the air conditioner running efficiently. Learn more about condenser and evaporator fins:
What is the purpose of condenser fins?
The purpose of the condenser fins is to move warm air away from the air conditioner while it’s running.
Why is my AC unit not cooling?
When the evaporator fins become dirty or clogged with debris, the air coming through your vents could become significantly warmer, meaning your AC unit is using more energy and not sufficiently cooling your home.
Where are the evaporator fins located?
The evaporator fins are located inside the interior of your air conditioner around the evaporator , forming an “A” shape. These interior fins are responsible for cooling the outside air and sending it through your ducts and vents to cool your home.
What is the job of AC fins?
The job of air conditioner fins is to keep air flowing smoothly in and out of your AC unit, and keeping them clean helps them do this.
Does Aire Serv do AC repair?
At Aire Serv, we understand that HVAC maintenance might not be at the top of your list and that units tucked into a basement closet or are housed outside are easily neglected – which is why we specialize in HVAC repair and maintenance services designed to meet the needs of the most and least attentive homeowners. If you need help cleaning your AC unit or have broken fins that need to be replaced, you need Aire Serv. Find an Aire Serv location near you or schedule an appointment online to get started.
Do you need to clean the fins of an AC?
To make sure your central air conditioner isn’t working harder than it needs to, it’s essential to keep both the interior and exterior AC fins clean. Air conditioner fins are delicate and can be bent easily, which can lead to costly, but necessary repairs.
What happens if a unit is bent?
Heavily bent or damaged ones restrict the air flow or may affect the efficiency of the unit, although many of these units keep on functioning and cooling.
Can you leave a fin in an HVAC?
Bent or damaged fins are usually left as they are, however, an HVAC contractor can knowledgeably advise a buyer about this condition.
Why do air conditioners have fins?
The fins on the condenser are there to help release heat that the air conditioner has absorbed from your home. It may surprise you to learn that your air conditioner doesn’t make cool air. It works like a sponge and uses refrigerant to absorb the heat from inside your home and then dumps it outside. The condenser fins will speed the dumping process up and soak up all the heat that was collected from your home. After the air is collected, a large fan will blow cool air over the hot fins to force the heat to the outside. If the fins on the condenser get bent or damaged, it can prevent the heat from being forced out. This will cause the air conditioner to work longer and harder to cool your home. Therefore, too many bent fins result in more money spent and less comfort in your home.
How to Repair Bent Central Air Conditioner Condenser Coil Fins & Replace Damaged Fins in Aliante, NV?
The outdoor unit of your air conditioner is called the condenser. It is made up of tiny aluminum “fins” that cover the outside of it. These can become bent or damaged. When too many of these become bent or damaged it can have an impact on the way your air conditioner operates. This can lead to higher energy bills and less comfort in your home. While a few bent fins won’t affect your air conditioners performance, problems will start when 30% to 50% of these fins get bent or damaged.
Can you fix a condenser fin?
and dog urine. Even though these fins are delicate, they are easy to fix, and it won’t cost a lot. All you need is a condenser fin “comb”. These fins can also be repaired when you have a service performed on your air conditioner. A fin comb can only fix bent combs. It can’t fix damaged ones. You will need to have professionals repair damaged fins.
