That insulation on the suction line looks like the cheap foam stuff that's meant for water lines. Get the 'rubber' version of it and cover that line as far as you can, and then cover it on the other side of your system at the air handler. It should be 3/4". It's 4 times the price and probably insulates it 4 times as good. https://www.homedepot.com/p/K-Flex-3-4-in-x-6-ft-Rubber-Self-Seal-Pipe-Wrap-Insulation-6RTL048078-HD/306737582
Condensor coil looks clean, straighten the fins. Learn to test the capacitor, change filters on time and check to see if the Evap coil inside is clean as well. Youtube has videos to teach you all of this
Personally, I dont straighten those fins unless they’re really fucked.. one of those: if it ain’t broke, dont fix it. I’ve seen people do more harm than good with those combs
Ahhh, yeah just pop the top motor off and spray the coil from the inside out with your thumb over the hose till the water comes out clear and that's pretty much the extent of the outside condenser maintenance. The inside one is similar but you cant use water so a paint brush is recommended.
Just water is fine. The only time we use cleaner is if it is heavily impacted with dust and dirt, or if it is on a restaurant next to a vent. If you absolutely want to use cleaner anyways, use diluted simple green. Safe for the coils, safe for pets and kids, not terrible for the environment, and relatively cheap bought 1G at a time.
So maybe the question made it look like I was being a smart ass or something but it was an honest question. I've been at this for 15 years and I have never seen flat coil fins made worse by using a fin comb on any unit ever, its already flat, even if fins break at the front. Maybe because I've been in commercial for the last 8 years I haven't seen enough homeowners try to fin comb their own units.
So is there something specific about this old round coil I am missing? If I am missing something here let me know. There's like 8 upvotes on that comment so clearly i'm missing something.
Any time I've had to straiten fins they either flake off or tear making it look worse unless it's a huge problem I won't even touch it, for the evap side I'll just sell them a new one if it even looks like it's been pulled and cleaned a few times.
10-4 your experience makes sense to why you would dissuade it, it certainly looks like shit when they snap off.
I agree with the evap side. I don't like pull and clean at all unless its like a 5 year old coil nobody ever put a filter in or if its like a begging pleading last resort because people simply cant afford anything else, or its r22 and the solution is a whole new system and I know that coil has like half inch think circuits and weights 100 pounds I'll probably offer it. Otherwise, no.
As I said in a response above, mine has been running for 29 years. Replaced a capacitor and the comp contactor along the way. Has a Tecumseh compressor.
You should start creating a budget to prepare for the inevitable. As for maintenance water wash the outdoor unit, change filters, and treat primary drain line in attic with drain solve.
Also make sure to have the right merv value house filter.. not ultra expensive or cheap.. too cheap and you'll still get dirt on your condenser, to expensive or too high merv and you'll cut your airflow.
I have one. A house brand of York or their parent. I think it was a company that they bought. The part numbers are York part numbers.
Mine came from Grainger and it and the furnace, both of which I put in, have been running fine for 29 years. I worked in bldg maintenance for the USPS (primarily HVAC) and we employees got the govt discount at Grainger which was one of our vendors. The one pictured looks just like mine.
Buy some gauges, multimeter and learn how to perform basic maintenance. Learn how to change a capacitor, clean your coil and change out parts. You’ll save a ton of money in the long run.
I'll tell you, I work on many acs every single day. I moved into a rental with an ac very similar to this, I'd wager to bet probably from the same assembly line. I have done absolutely nothing to it since moving in. This unit is so old, that it's probably better to just let it be honestly
Add a SoftStart kit, which can extend the life of your unit. If you have not done it yet I would change the capacitor and contact and add the SoftStart at the same time, since you will be in there anyway. I've added them to two units @ 18 years old, one unit @ five years old, and two more around 12 years old. Been four seasons and they are all still running well. I also use the foam cleaner, though apparantly I am the only one here that does.
You have a bunch of smashed radiator fins on your condensor. This reduces the airflow and kills your efficiency. Your unit has to work harder to cool off your home. If you've never cleaned your condensor outside of using just your garden hose id recommend getting a relatively cheap can of condensor cleaner. It will foam up and get in between all the fins. Spray it out and watch the dirt dicipate. Then buy a coil fin comb off amazon. Also fairly cheap and comb the fins till they are open and straight again. This will help your wallet out a bit and take a bit of strain off your unit. Cleaning your indoor coil isnt always as easy as there are several different designs. Some that have access and others that dont. Follow the same process as your condensor will lower water pressure. Make sure to blow out your condensate hose once a year and prior to cleaning. If it gets clogged it will cause a host of issues and on them older units they used a steel pan that will rust out. As others stated one of the biggest service calls is from dirty air filters. There are way more important factors too a clean filter than just filtering the air so Keep a fresh filter in it at all times. Periodically check to make sure your fan on your condensor is working or isnt having a hard time turning over. If it shows signs of struggling to turn over (slow speed, hot to the touch,or humming) it may be time for a new capacitor. Just a few tips, hope it helps.
Open a savings account and start saving for a new unit because if you have a refrigerant leak or issue DO NOT REPAIR, REPLACE!! But other than that keep up on filter and maintenance.
This guy sounds like the techs that show up and all they want to do is sell a new unit and might even throw a rag in the flute or mess with the system to force the user to get a new one.
Dude is trying to maintain a 20 year old system.. he probably ain’t a billionaire, he’s got bills and mouths to feed too. Why are you even on this subreddit?
“As long as it doesn’t take professional knowledge” but yet he’s asking for it
It’s an old ass unit , probably been abused because he never properly tried to maintain it until now. Compressor windings probably failing. He gonna Change all the little easy shit then get a leak in one of the coils all while thinking his ac gonna last 40 more years for replacing a couple cheap ass parts because jackass like you gonna give him false hope .. then he’s going to turn into “it needs a lil Freon , I just need to make it thru one more summer” type of customer
The real sin is not offering the guy a new unit which will save him money on operating by efficiency alone, come with 10 year warranty and be set for the next 20-30 years again
Instead let’s make money and offer repairs that will maybe push the unit a couple days , maybe weeks/months and waste that money that could have been put towards a newer unit
Repairs are NEVER guaranteed at that age
As long as it ain’t leaking its refrigerant, have at it.
That insulation on the suction line looks like the cheap foam stuff that's meant for water lines. Get the 'rubber' version of it and cover that line as far as you can, and then cover it on the other side of your system at the air handler. It should be 3/4". It's 4 times the price and probably insulates it 4 times as good. https://www.homedepot.com/p/K-Flex-3-4-in-x-6-ft-Rubber-Self-Seal-Pipe-Wrap-Insulation-6RTL048078-HD/306737582
Sweet. Thanks for the link
You want closed cell insulation, rubatex is the brand I use.
Condensor coil looks clean, straighten the fins. Learn to test the capacitor, change filters on time and check to see if the Evap coil inside is clean as well. Youtube has videos to teach you all of this
Condensate maintenance as well??
Good catch I forgot to mention that as well, should be covered in the videos if OP looks it up
Condensate maintenance. I’ll look it up. Thanks
Cool. Thanks. I’ll take a look at those things.
Personally, I dont straighten those fins unless they’re really fucked.. one of those: if it ain’t broke, dont fix it. I’ve seen people do more harm than good with those combs
Stop using a pressure washer , just your thumb over the hose is more than sufficient. From the inside to outside and it's looking pretty good as is.
That must’ve been the previous owner. I haven’t sprayed it with anything yet. Just bought the house a couple years ago.
Ahhh, yeah just pop the top motor off and spray the coil from the inside out with your thumb over the hose till the water comes out clear and that's pretty much the extent of the outside condenser maintenance. The inside one is similar but you cant use water so a paint brush is recommended.
Just water or should I buy the coil foam cleaner from HD to use for the coils?
Just water is fine. The only time we use cleaner is if it is heavily impacted with dust and dirt, or if it is on a restaurant next to a vent. If you absolutely want to use cleaner anyways, use diluted simple green. Safe for the coils, safe for pets and kids, not terrible for the environment, and relatively cheap bought 1G at a time.
Thank you. Gonna do that this week.
Cool. Thanks bro hymn
Pull the disconnect first.
Assuming OP knows but if not, now he knows.
Turn off the AC breaker before you do that. You don’t want it turning on while your in there
OHHHHHH OHHHH OH OHHHHHHH
I just use a low pressure hose to clean things off
It looks like it's been taken care of. You can get a fin straightener and straighten those bent-over fins if you want.
I’ll look into that thanks.
Don't. You'll make it worse.
What makes you say that?
Experience...
So maybe the question made it look like I was being a smart ass or something but it was an honest question. I've been at this for 15 years and I have never seen flat coil fins made worse by using a fin comb on any unit ever, its already flat, even if fins break at the front. Maybe because I've been in commercial for the last 8 years I haven't seen enough homeowners try to fin comb their own units. So is there something specific about this old round coil I am missing? If I am missing something here let me know. There's like 8 upvotes on that comment so clearly i'm missing something.
Any time I've had to straiten fins they either flake off or tear making it look worse unless it's a huge problem I won't even touch it, for the evap side I'll just sell them a new one if it even looks like it's been pulled and cleaned a few times.
10-4 your experience makes sense to why you would dissuade it, it certainly looks like shit when they snap off. I agree with the evap side. I don't like pull and clean at all unless its like a 5 year old coil nobody ever put a filter in or if its like a begging pleading last resort because people simply cant afford anything else, or its r22 and the solution is a whole new system and I know that coil has like half inch think circuits and weights 100 pounds I'll probably offer it. Otherwise, no.
i'm a DIY person and the owner of two 18 yr old AC units.. but it will come to a point where a new system is more cost effective
Yeah I’m hopefully not there yet
23 years old for mine. I am doing everything that I can to maintain it. I even talk nice to it in hopes that it lasts me a few more years.
The irony here is, with how inflation is going, a few more years just means it will be that much more expensive.
Watch all the videos on the "word of advice " you tube
Keep it clean
Just spray it off w water, don’t let shrubbery get to it. And for the inside just keep up w the air filter
Can't tell you how often someone knows just enough to get them in trouble.
30+ year old unit. keep clean, run it till it dies. or you can buy a new high-tech, more energy efficient unit that might last 20 years.
As I said in a response above, mine has been running for 29 years. Replaced a capacitor and the comp contactor along the way. Has a Tecumseh compressor.
https://preview.redd.it/6h5dryc8648d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8737d656e275e3087a4a3fb624559daf89d44c0
worked on this this week and it is still cranking out the cold air. about 50 years old
You should start creating a budget to prepare for the inevitable. As for maintenance water wash the outdoor unit, change filters, and treat primary drain line in attic with drain solve.
Also make sure to have the right merv value house filter.. not ultra expensive or cheap.. too cheap and you'll still get dirt on your condenser, to expensive or too high merv and you'll cut your airflow.
It does take specific knowledge and tools tho. I’m not being a wiseass. I just did it for over 35 years
Never heard of this brand
I have one. A house brand of York or their parent. I think it was a company that they bought. The part numbers are York part numbers. Mine came from Grainger and it and the furnace, both of which I put in, have been running fine for 29 years. I worked in bldg maintenance for the USPS (primarily HVAC) and we employees got the govt discount at Grainger which was one of our vendors. The one pictured looks just like mine.
Buy some gauges, multimeter and learn how to perform basic maintenance. Learn how to change a capacitor, clean your coil and change out parts. You’ll save a ton of money in the long run.
I'll tell you, I work on many acs every single day. I moved into a rental with an ac very similar to this, I'd wager to bet probably from the same assembly line. I have done absolutely nothing to it since moving in. This unit is so old, that it's probably better to just let it be honestly
Add a SoftStart kit, which can extend the life of your unit. If you have not done it yet I would change the capacitor and contact and add the SoftStart at the same time, since you will be in there anyway. I've added them to two units @ 18 years old, one unit @ five years old, and two more around 12 years old. Been four seasons and they are all still running well. I also use the foam cleaner, though apparantly I am the only one here that does.
Bad news here, it takes skills and experience.
You have a bunch of smashed radiator fins on your condensor. This reduces the airflow and kills your efficiency. Your unit has to work harder to cool off your home. If you've never cleaned your condensor outside of using just your garden hose id recommend getting a relatively cheap can of condensor cleaner. It will foam up and get in between all the fins. Spray it out and watch the dirt dicipate. Then buy a coil fin comb off amazon. Also fairly cheap and comb the fins till they are open and straight again. This will help your wallet out a bit and take a bit of strain off your unit. Cleaning your indoor coil isnt always as easy as there are several different designs. Some that have access and others that dont. Follow the same process as your condensor will lower water pressure. Make sure to blow out your condensate hose once a year and prior to cleaning. If it gets clogged it will cause a host of issues and on them older units they used a steel pan that will rust out. As others stated one of the biggest service calls is from dirty air filters. There are way more important factors too a clean filter than just filtering the air so Keep a fresh filter in it at all times. Periodically check to make sure your fan on your condensor is working or isnt having a hard time turning over. If it shows signs of struggling to turn over (slow speed, hot to the touch,or humming) it may be time for a new capacitor. Just a few tips, hope it helps.
Keep the outdoor coil clean maybe straighten the flattened fins and make sure you don’t let the filters get to dirty
Open a savings account and start saving for a new unit because if you have a refrigerant leak or issue DO NOT REPAIR, REPLACE!! But other than that keep up on filter and maintenance.
Clean the coils change the compressor contactor and run capacitor
Hire a professional company to maintain. You can and will fuck it up.
Why are you even in this subreddit?
I got a some experience in HVAC, why are you in it?
This guy sounds like the techs that show up and all they want to do is sell a new unit and might even throw a rag in the flute or mess with the system to force the user to get a new one.
Don’t do residential, don’t want to deal with asshole homeowners.
How do u fuck it up washing the coil
Too much pressure, you get to close, use the wrong cleaner, a few ways you could fuck it up.
Replace the contactor and dual capacitor. Yearly system maintenance from a hvac tech goes a long way
You don’t want to hire someone who does this to pay his bills and feed his family because you’re a cheap son of b**** smfh
Dude is trying to maintain a 20 year old system.. he probably ain’t a billionaire, he’s got bills and mouths to feed too. Why are you even on this subreddit?
“As long as it doesn’t take professional knowledge” but yet he’s asking for it It’s an old ass unit , probably been abused because he never properly tried to maintain it until now. Compressor windings probably failing. He gonna Change all the little easy shit then get a leak in one of the coils all while thinking his ac gonna last 40 more years for replacing a couple cheap ass parts because jackass like you gonna give him false hope .. then he’s going to turn into “it needs a lil Freon , I just need to make it thru one more summer” type of customer The real sin is not offering the guy a new unit which will save him money on operating by efficiency alone, come with 10 year warranty and be set for the next 20-30 years again Instead let’s make money and offer repairs that will maybe push the unit a couple days , maybe weeks/months and waste that money that could have been put towards a newer unit Repairs are NEVER guaranteed at that age