coil cleaning

hey everyone!!
I am long time reader first time poster. I recently got my first job in the industry after graduating from school. albeit 2 years late. Anyway, I took a job with a local filter/pm company that deals only with commercial. I am the only EPA licensed employee they have. My main job is to clean rtu coils. I have asked my boss many times why we don't split the coil like i was taught. Instead we hit it with liquid foaming cleaner on the outside only and quickly hose it off. I am expected to clean between 18 and 25 rtu's a day. Am I wasting my time working for a company that doesn't do things right.

thanks alot!!

Water and dirt makes mud. You have to separate the split coils on the condensers.You will be surprised.What looks clean on the outside is most likely hiding enough cottonwood to knit grandma a sweater on the inside.Use compressed air.

Go to work for someone who will let you do things right!

A job is better than no job and since you are now in the industry you will rub shoulders with others in the industry and may find it easier to get on with another company. Cleaning them like you are is probably better than what they were before you cleaned them so its not like you are wasting your time. There is no way you would meet that quota of 18-25 a day if you cleaned them properly. Just do what your boss says as long it doesn't compromise your morals and keep looking for a better job with a better company.

Wow 25 RTUs a day. Thats a lot. I would stay with that company until I found a better one.

Keep looking for another job. Carpet bomb every HVAC contractor in your area with resumes. Yes you are doing it wrong. Coils must be split to clean properly but that's not what you were hired to do. You were hired to splash and dash. But it's a job and you took it so do it till you get something better. At least you know it's not proper and you don't like it. That tells me you WILL be able to get on with a reputable company. Hang in there you'll make it. Welcome to the trade. Good luck.

Different scenario here. My boss alloted me time to split coils on several units that techs before me said they had to split. I get to the jobsite and pull the lids and find that the coils could not be split. My boss wanted to argue with me over this and I did win the battle. Also someone mentioned compressed air earlier. My boss wanted to argue with me over the purchase of CO2 cylinders as I told him that compressed air on a dirty coil is like peeing in the wind. I got my CO2.

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Originally Posted by kaptnkirk

Different scenario here. My boss alloted me time to split coils on several units that techs before me said they had to split. I get to the jobsite and pull the lids and find that the coils could not be split. My boss wanted to argue with me over this and I did win the battle. Also someone mentioned compressed air earlier. My boss wanted to argue with me over the purchase of CO2 cylinders as I told him that compressed air on a dirty coil is like peeing in the wind. I got my CO2.

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Hate to bust your bubble, congrats on the victory, but CO2 not gonna get r done either. If its impacted you gonna have to put the water to it to get it clean.

Oh yes !! I forgot to mention that I have a hundred gallon water tank on my truck for sites without water. All coils cleaned with foam and water quarterly.

Every place you work over the length of your career you will find things you disagree with. Be it owners, co-workers or bosses, there will always be disagreements. I'd say don't drag up and leave because somebody dose it different. Years ago dad told me something that stuck. Stay honest, so long as it depends on you do it well, And never work for anyone with less money or sense than you. If you must move on, make a place to go before you leave where you are currently working. Good luck!

18-25, that owner is doing something right,, I would not only stay find out how he's getting that many. Im sure the customer knows he's cutting corners. And im sure u will be back next year to do again. If he split all of them depending on area u wouldn't have to be back for a few years. He's probably charging low bid, But at the same time the customers like to deplete there budget,, so they will not be given a lesser budget the next Year.
It's a viscous circle,,
I would play a long in this economy

Really 18-25 ????? thats good one team

How long do you guys take to wash indoor & outdoor coils on a typical package unit?
I can't seem to do them in less than 30-45 minutes.

For that I do he following:
Setup wet/dry vacuum
Pop lid off package unit
Hit both coils with co2
Hit both coils with green clean (company policy)
Split coil if needed
Hose down with selectable nozzle.
Keep going until the runoff becomes clear.
Slurp up any run off that's headig towards storm drains.
Put everything back together, run quick test if I have time.

I'm currently saving for a coil jet cleaner to make life a little easier.

Tonnage??

If it's a 2 ton it can't be done in 35-40, Properly. Off the bat u need at least 15 just 4 customer care , explaining the savings/weartear. So they do it again in 2 years even if unit is operating well.