Cleaning compressor fins

[SeaJohn]

I have 2 central air units. One is a Ruud and looks kind of like this: http://www.ruudairconditioning.org/wp-content/uploads/ruud-air-conditioning-3.jpg

The other is a Carrier and looks like this: http://www.commercial.carrier.com/Images/Carrier_Residential_New/Global/US-en/a-b-c-d/carrier_air_conditioner.jpg

Our area has a lot of cottonwood trees, and I've already had to clean the fins on the units three times this year. It's simple to do on the Carrier, but with the Ruud it's a real pain because the fins are hidden behind the case.

I'm considering getting some aluminum window screen and building a cage around the outside of the Ruud. That way the cottonwood fluff would stick to the screen, and would be much easier to get off. Any thoughts?

[rickboggs]

I'm considering getting some aluminum window screen and building a cage around the outside of the Ruud. That way the cottonwood fluff would stick to the screen, and would be much easier to get off. Any thoughts?Screen will restrict air flow unless you add surface area to the screen.... like a pleat maybe.

[SeaJohn]

Screen will restrict air flow unless you add surface area to the screen.... like a pleat maybe.

Which of course negates the whole idea - I'm trying to maintain air flow, but I'm not going to attempt to guess at how much surface area I need. Are there any professional products out there which do this?

Why do manufacturers such as Ruud design the cabinets this way? I know a lot of people who never clean their outside unit until their AC stops cooling and the serviceman does it for them (I speak from personal experience!). It seems like this should be a safe and simple DIY task for a typical homeowner that would make the system last longer and cool better, but they don't make it easy.

[Shophound]

Any cottonwoods in your own yard? Chop 'em down, and then if your neighbors have cottonwoods, see if you can get them to chop theirs down. You can say "My cottonwoods were not only plugging up my a/c, but yours as well, so if you chop down yours we both benefit."

Admittedly, cottonwood lint can drift a long ways. My last property I worked at had a small grove of cottonwoods at least 1000 feet way. Those little fuzzballs still managed to drift over and foul my condensers. Felt like chopping them down myself but that wouldn't have gone over well with the rest of the campus. :D

[SeaJohn]

Any cottonwoods in your own yard? Chop 'em down, and then if your neighbors have cottonwoods, see if you can get them to chop theirs down. You can say "My cottonwoods were not only plugging up my a/c, but yours as well, so if you chop down yours we both benefit."

Admittedly, cottonwood lint can drift a long ways. My last property I worked at had a small grove of cottonwoods at least 1000 feet way. Those little fuzzballs still managed to drift over and foul my condensers. Felt like chopping them down myself but that wouldn't have gone over well with the rest of the campus. :D

I wish I could, but we live adjacent to several hundred acres of undeveloped, fuzzy woods.

[Shophound]

I wish I could, but we live adjacent to several hundred acres of undeveloped, fuzzy woods.

:eek:

When you replace your system, go geothermal! :D

[2old2rock]

Shophound has an answer for everything, and Geo would for sure solve the problem.
But, in the meantime, maybe just use a screen when the cottonwood is flying. I know around here, it doesn't last long, but it sure makes a mess on the condensers.

[captube]

If you did go with a screen check it every afternoon and clean it untill they quit shedding.
I had 1 so bad last week that i recommended a screen, this was bad, cottonwood lint was ankle high around the gate where the wind swirrled.

[54regcab]

I have 2 central air units. One is a Ruud and looks kind of like this: http://www.ruudairconditioning.org/wp-content/uploads/ruud-air-conditioning-3.jpg

The other is a Carrier and looks like this: http://www.commercial.carrier.com/Images/Carrier_Residential_New/Global/US-en/a-b-c-d/carrier_air_conditioner.jpg

Our area has a lot of cottonwood trees, and I've already had to clean the fins on the units three times this year. It's simple to do on the Carrier, but with the Ruud it's a real pain because the fins are hidden behind the case.

I'm considering getting some aluminum window screen and building a cage around the outside of the Ruud. That way the cottonwood fluff would stick to the screen, and would be much easier to get off. Any thoughts?

My dad has a unit similar to your Ruud, the screen has worked perfectly for him. Just be sure to keep in cleaned out.

[dunkman]

http://www.airsolutioncompany.com/news/news-cottonwoodscreens.asp

Try something like this. Clean it often.

Just google "condensor coil screen" you'll find all kinds of stuff.