AC Coil Flushing

[DanM]

Has anyone flushed their AC coils? I am planning to attempt it this spring and would like to hear from others with experience. This is a freshwater boat but I'm told that minerals/sediment build in the coils impeding performance of the units. There are a number of options in terms of connectivity and chemicals used so any input would be appreciated.

[mjk1040]

Vinegar most likely would be the safest!

[tomschauer]

The best way to clean the evaporator and condenser coils are to remove the unit(s) from the boat. Use a good foaming coil cleaner for the evaporator
(the finned part that the air flows through) and flush with a high pressure hose. Make sure the control box and fan motor are wrapped in plastic. The condenser ( water side) can be flushed with water and as Mike mentioned some vinegar. If you are in salt or brackish water I would use something like calci- solve from rector seal. Put some in a bucket and use a pump to circulate through the coil for 10- 15 minutes. Follow up with fresh water flush.

If you do this properly and use a good air filter, changed regularly, you should only need to it every few years, unless you have pets on the boat. If so double the frequency.

Clean coils use less energy, provide rated capacity and give maximum life of your very expensive a/c units.