This is why HVAC companies tell you that you need to have maintenance performed on them once a year on each system. That’s not an upsell that’s to maintain the warranty as they literally wont run as well year over year without cleaning and will half the life of your expensive system.
this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2025
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I go to an HVAC supplier every year and buy this green can of amazing chemicals. Spray the fins, let sit for about 15min, then spray off with a hose. Gleaming, shiny metal.
Still feels like an upsell. Just take a hose and spray down the coils and/or vacuum.
Be careful hosing it down or scrubbing it. Those radiator fins are delicate and shouldn't be bent or broken.
I won't say don't do it because I dunno, its probably fine. But watch a how to video or read up on it first. Just don't put a firehose on it.
No one is telling you to power wash or scrub. If you rinse it often enough you’ll be fine. If a hose ain’t doing it for you, you are better off getting an HVAC tech to use their special cleaner that is only sold to HVAC techs
No one is telling you to power wash or scrub
No, but some people get some carried away ideas when they hear "clean that machine".
Hey, it’s your warranty. They do more than just spray down your coils. They’re checking for pressure loss and leaks as well as cleaning the blower motor and wheel (which is where a lot of issues occur).
You can take out the blower motor - it’s not that hard.
I’m not sure what to say about leaks and pressure loss. My HVAC tech recently refused to find the issue and just refilled my refrigerant instead….
Don’t. It’s a good way to get mold, and the AC blowing the unhealthy spores around the house.
Any decent AC maintenance company uses special gear and likely those cleaning foams that minimises this risk.
Are you suggesting you hose down an indoor unit?
No, I think I misunderstood.
What I was trying to say: I think there are good reasons for having professionals clean your AC.
Also don't forget to look at your insulation around your lines outside each year. They need replacing sometimes. If you can feel cold, you need a new one. If you don't, you'll see ice forming in the summer, and that is very very bad. Don't forget to test heat and cold BEFORE you really need it (we just tested ours on a decent warm day)