HVAC Preventative Maintenance - Revision history

Eric: Added some more information

2025-09-23T14:39:14Z

Added some more information

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:39, 23 September 2025
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	====Related Links====		====Related Links====
	*[https://www.reddit.com/r/hvacadvice/comments/14zfha1/does_coil_cleaner_actually_work_does_any/ A Reddit Post in r/HVACAdvice Titled “ Does Coil cleaner actually work? Does any particular brand work better than another?” ]		*[https://www.reddit.com/r/hvacadvice/comments/14zfha1/does_coil_cleaner_actually_work_does_any/ A Reddit Post in r/HVACAdvice Titled “ Does Coil cleaner actually work? Does any particular brand work better than another?” ]
			*[https://youtu.be/l_4kBGL3mPg?si=3hHQZoo0EmOcKX9z A Video by the YouTube Channel “ [[Clean It Up]] “ Titled “The Best Way to Clean Your AC Unit and Coils” ]
			*[https://youtube.com/shorts/w2XHnj7cxJg?si=1yeh-oLKK2tG-Hi1 A YouTube Short by the channel “HVAC_Tips” Titled “3 Pro Tips for Cleaning Your Evaporator Coil!” ]

	==Condensate Drain Preventative Maintenance==		==Condensate Drain Preventative Maintenance==

Eric: Added some more information

2025-09-23T14:22:27Z

Added some more information

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:22, 23 September 2025
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	*”Nu-Calgon”		*”Nu-Calgon”
	*”Viper Coil Cleaner”		*”Viper Coil Cleaner”

			====Related Links====
			*[https://www.reddit.com/r/hvacadvice/comments/14zfha1/does_coil_cleaner_actually_work_does_any/ A Reddit Post in r/HVACAdvice Titled “ Does Coil cleaner actually work? Does any particular brand work better than another?” ]

	==Condensate Drain Preventative Maintenance==		==Condensate Drain Preventative Maintenance==

Eric: Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

2025-09-23T14:03:08Z

Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:03, 23 September 2025
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	==Coil Cleaning==		==Coil Cleaning==
	*Every so often both the [[Condenser Coil]] and the [[Evaporator Coil]] should be cleaned		*Every so often both the [[Condenser Coil]] and the [[Evaporator Coil]] should be cleaned

			===Procedure===
	*This is best done by:		*This is best done by:
	**1.) [[LOTO]] on the Machine		**1.) [[LOTO]] on the Machine
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	**9.) Reassemble Device		**9.) Reassemble Device
	**10.) Undo the [[LOTO]] then Turn it back on and check that everything is operating as expected		**10.) Undo the [[LOTO]] then Turn it back on and check that everything is operating as expected

			===Products===
			====In Concentrate Form====
			*”Simply Green”
			*”Purple Power”

			====In Aerosol Can====
			*”Nu-Calgon”
			*”Viper Coil Cleaner”

	==Condensate Drain Preventative Maintenance==		==Condensate Drain Preventative Maintenance==

Eric: Added some more information

2025-09-23T13:16:58Z

Added some more information

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 *All in all though, clean your filters and change them out!
 *Inspecting Gaskets (RE [[Sealed System HEPA]] ) is important as well as leakage past a filter negates it’s effectiveness
 =Internal Links=

Eric: Created Page + Added Basic Sections/Info

2025-09-23T13:11:20Z

Created Page + Added Basic Sections/Info

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:11, 23 September 2025
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	*Look into active systems akin to a [[Pulse Jet Bag Filter]] [[Baghouse]] or [[Knocker]] that enhances flow of Condensate off of the coils via compressed air or mechanical means etc		*Look into active systems akin to a [[Pulse Jet Bag Filter]] [[Baghouse]] or [[Knocker]] that enhances flow of Condensate off of the coils via compressed air or mechanical means etc
	**It would be mechanically complex, but a wiper assembly or something akin to the [[Super Sopper]] may be used as well		**It would be mechanically complex, but a wiper assembly or something akin to the [[Super Sopper]] may be used as well

			==Duct Cleaning==
			*RE [[HVAC Duct Cleaning]]
			*May not be needed with sufficient Filter Installation + Change Intervals?
			*May be worth getting an [[Inspection Camera]] and checking regardless at a regular interval

			==Filter Maintenance==
			*As with [[Internal Combustion Engines]] having clean filters may be annoying to maintain, but saves many more headaches, and typically money.
			*If a [[Mesh Prefilter]] is installed, periodically cleaning those can prolong main filter life
			*Some [[HEPA Filters]] can be GENTLY Vacuumed and/or cleaned off with a [[Cordless Air Duster]] outside or over a [[Downdraft Table]] etc to “juice” out some extra life
			*All in all though, clean your filters and change them out!
			*Inspecting Gaskets (RE [[Sealed System HEPA]] ) is important as well as leakage past a filter negates it’s effectiveness

			=Internal Links=
			*

			=External Links=
			*

Eric: Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

2025-09-23T13:06:32Z

Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:06, 23 September 2025
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	*If need be, a [[Shop Vac]] can also be used to clear/drain the line		*If need be, a [[Shop Vac]] can also be used to clear/drain the line
	**A [[High Volume Inflator]] or similar device can also be used, although using positive pressure to clear a blockage runs the risks of leaks		**A [[High Volume Inflator]] or similar device can also be used, although using positive pressure to clear a blockage runs the risks of leaks

			==Maintaining Accessibility==
			*Outdoor Evaporators in particular may run into the issue of falling behind on landscaping leading to making the job of getting to + repairing one difficult
			*This is moreso a [[Design for Cleaning]] / [[Design for Maintenance]] concern, but relevant enough to mention

			==Optimal Operating Conditions==
			*Unless a dedicated [[Humidistat]] and [[Dehumidifier]] are installed, and to an extent even then, Condensation will form on the [[Condenser Coils]]
			**If an HVAC Unit is run in the “Constant Fan” mode, this will increase humidity due to the airflow evaporating far more of these droplets than how much water will drip down (At least after initial startup + the [[Dewpoint]] equivalent of [[Iceover]]
			**If a Unit is Put into “Auto” Fan Mode and it has reached the set temperature and/or the unit is occasionally turned off, it will have time for droplets to make their way to the [[Condensate Drain]] and/or the Dehumidification Function of the coils is more efficient due to less time spent being a [[Swamp Cooler]] of sorts

			===To-Do’s===
			*Look into if Cleaning the Coils (RE [[Water Beading Test]] ) and/or [[Hydrophobic Coatings]] on the coils can reduce this issue
			*Look into active systems akin to a [[Pulse Jet Bag Filter]] [[Baghouse]] or [[Knocker]] that enhances flow of Condensate off of the coils via compressed air or mechanical means etc
			**It would be mechanically complex, but a wiper assembly or something akin to the [[Super Sopper]] may be used as well

Eric: Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

2025-09-23T12:57:26Z

Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:57, 23 September 2025
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	**9.) Reassemble Device		**9.) Reassemble Device
	**10.) Undo the [[LOTO]] then Turn it back on and check that everything is operating as expected		**10.) Undo the [[LOTO]] then Turn it back on and check that everything is operating as expected

			==Condensate Drain Preventative Maintenance==
			*Due to being a wet+damp environment, the Condensate Drain Lines on [[HVAC Evaporator Coils]] (As well as [[Dehumidifiers]] and to a lesser extent [[Refrigerators]] / [[Freezers]] etc ) are at risk of [[Bio-Fouling]]
			*Thus every so often one should dump some [[Dilute Bleach Solution]] or a similar substance down the drain, and check that enough was added that it flows to the drain location
			**Having another person with a Radioactive or Cellphone can help with this
			*If need be, a [[Shop Vac]] can also be used to clear/drain the line
			**A [[High Volume Inflator]] or similar device can also be used, although using positive pressure to clear a blockage runs the risks of leaks

Eric: Minor Text Formatting Fix

2025-09-23T12:52:37Z

Minor Text Formatting Fix

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:52, 23 September 2025
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	*Every so often both the [[Condenser Coil]] and the [[Evaporator Coil]] should be cleaned		*Every so often both the [[Condenser Coil]] and the [[Evaporator Coil]] should be cleaned
	*This is best done by:		*This is best done by:
	**1.) [LOTO]] on the Machine		**1.) [[LOTO]] on the Machine
	***If a [[Soft Starter]] is not installed, it is also best practice to turn down/off the [[Thermostat]] so that the system doesn’t go “from zero to 60” when you reconnect it		***If a [[Soft Starter]] is not installed, it is also best practice to turn down/off the [[Thermostat]] so that the system doesn’t go “from zero to 60” when you reconnect it
	**2.) Remove Debris as best you can while it is still dry		**2.) Remove Debris as best you can while it is still dry

Eric: Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

2025-09-23T12:52:20Z

Saved Progress Mid-Long Edit

New page

=Basics=
*This page aims to go over the various forms of [[Preventative Maintenance]] for [[HVAC]] Systems
*[[Design for Cleaning]] in terms of overall design of the HVAC system is a HIGHLY relevant matter, but will be addressed on another page

=List=
==Coil Cleaning==
*Every so often both the [[Condenser Coil]] and the [[Evaporator Coil]] should be cleaned
*This is best done by:
**1.) [LOTO]] on the Machine
***If a [[Soft Starter]] is not installed, it is also best practice to turn down/off the [[Thermostat]] so that the system doesn’t go “from zero to 60” when you reconnect it
**2.) Remove Debris as best you can while it is still dry
***A [[Vacuum Cleaner]] (+ [[Dusting Brush Tool]] / [[Crevice Tool]] ) and/or some sort of Cleaning Brush and/or a [[Cordless Air Duster]] will come in handy for this
**Check Warranry / Manufacturer Warnings First + Proceed with Caution, BUT:
**3.) Gently Rinse with Water
***If sufficient one can stop here, if it looks like further cleaning is needed:
**4.) Spray Down with a [[Gentle Cleaning Solution]] / [[Gentle Soap]] such as “Simple Green” or A Diluted [[Minimum Viable Soap]]
**5.) Rinse + Inspect
***If sufficient, one can stop here, if it looks like it still needs further cleaning:
**6.) Get [[HVAC Coil Cleaner]] either in [[Aerosol Can]] form, or as a [[Liquid Concentrate]] which can be diluted + put into a [[Foam Cannon Nozzle]]
**7.) Final Rinse with Water
**8.) Gently Dry Off / Wait for it to Air Dry
**9.) Reassemble Device
**10.) Undo the [[LOTO]] then Turn it back on and check that everything is operating as expected