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Coil Fin and External Cleaning
Keep coils clean to maintain maximum
performance. For operation at its highest
efficiency, clean the refrigerant coil often
during periods of high cooling demand or
when dirty conditions prevail. Clean the
coil a minimum of once per year to
prevent dirt buildup in the coil fins, where
it may not be visible.
Remove large debris from the coils and
straighten fins before cleaning. Remove
filters before cleaning.
Clean refrigerant coils with cold water
and detergent, or with one of the com-
mercially available chemical coil clean-
ers. Rinse coils thoroughly after cleaning.
Economizer and evaporator coils are
installed so the evaporator is directly
behind the economizer. To clean between
the coils, remove the sheet metal block
off. Access the block off by removing the
corner panels on the unit's left or right
rear side.
CAUTION
!
Caution: Do not clean the
refrigerant coil with hot water or
steam. The use of hot water or
steam as a refrigerant coil-cleaner
agent will cause high pressure
inside the coil tubing and
subsequent damage to the coil.
CAUTION
!
Caution: To prevent damage to
the unit, do not use acidic
chemical coil cleaners. Also, do
not use alkaline chemical coil
cleaners with a pH value greater
then 8.5 (after mixing) without
using an aluminum corrosion
inhibitor in the cleaning solution.
SCXG-SVX01B-EN
Owner
WARNING
!
Some chemical coil cleaning
compounds are caustic or toxic.
Use these substances only in
accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
Failure to do so may result in
injury, death, or equipment
damage.
If the refrigerant coil is installed back to
back with the waterside economizer coil,
use a cleaner that is acceptable for
cleaning both types of coils.
Inspecting and Cleaning Coils
Coils become externally fouled as a result
of normal operation. Dirt on the coil
surface reduces it's ability to transfer heat
that can result in comfort problems,
increased airflow resistance and thus
increased operating energy costs. If the
coil surface dirt becomes wet, which
commonly occurs with cooling coils,
microbial growth (mold) may result,
causing unpleasant odors and serious
health-related indoor air quality
problems.
Inspect coils at least every six months or
more frequently as dictated by operating
experience. Cleaning frequently is
dependent upon system operating hours,
filter maintenance, and efficiency and dirt
load. The suggested cleaning method is
below:
Steam and Hot Water Coils
1. Disconnect all electrical power to the
unit.
2. Don the appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE).
3. Gain access to both sides of the coil
section.
4. Use a soft brush to remove loose
debris from both sides of the coil.
5. Use a steam cleaning machine, starting
from the top of the coil and working
downward. Clean the leaving air side of
the coil first, then the entering air side.
Use a block-off to prevent steam from
blowing through the coil and into a dry
section of the unit.
6. Repeat step 5 as necessary. Confirm
that the drain line is open following
completion of the cleaning process.
Maintenance
7. Allow the unit to dry thoroughly before
putting the system back into service.
8. Straighten any coil fins that may be
damaged with a fin rake.
9. Replace all panels and parts and
restore electrical power to the unit.
10. Ensure that contaminated material
does not contact other areas of the unit
or building. Properly dispose of all
contaminated materials and cleaning
solutions.
Refrigerant Coils
1. Disconnect all electrical power to the
unit.
2. Don the appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE).
3. Gain access to the coil section of the
unit (both sides).
4. Use a soft brush to remove loose
debris from both sides of the coil.
5. Mix a high quality coil cleaning
detergent with water according to the
manufacturer's instructions. If the
detergent is strongly alkaline after
mixing (pH 8.5 or higher), it must
contain an inhibitor. Carefully follow the
cleaning solution manufacturer's
instructions regarding product use.
6. Place the mixed solution in a garden
pump-up sprayer or high pressure
sprayer. If using a high pressure
sprayer note the following:
• Maintain a minimum nozzle spray
angle of 15 degrees
• Spray perpendicular to the coil face
• Protect other areas of the unit and
internal controls from contact with
moisture or the cleaning solution
• Keep the nozzle at least 6 inches from
the coil
• Do not exceed 600 psig
Draining the Coil
CAUTION
!
Failure to properly drain and vent
coils when not in use during
freezing temperatures may result
in coil freeze-up damage.
Drain plugs are in the piping below each
coil's supply and return header. Use these
plugs to drain the coil and piping. When
draining the coil, open the vents at the top
of the supply and return headers.
107
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