There’s a big debate on using dish soap, just water, or chemical cleaners on HVAC-R condenser, evaporator coils including micro-channel and aluminum. Let’s discuss the different options.
Leave the Dish Soap for the Ducks
While dish soap might seem like an easy solution for cleaning condenser coils, its chemical properties can actually be harmful to the delicate metals in these coils, such as aluminum and copper. Dish soaps often have a pH level that is either too acidic or too alkaline, which can disrupt the protective oxide layer on these metals, making them more susceptible to damage.
Many dish soaps contain sodium chloride (salt), which can significantly speed up the corrosion process when used on metal surfaces. Just as salt in ocean air can cause metal structures to rust prematurely, or road salt can corrode the metal on vehicles, using dish soap on condenser coils can lead to similar corrosion, ultimately shortening the lifespan of your HVAC-R system.
Dish soap is designed for cleaning food residue and grease from dishes, not the specific grime found on condenser coils, which often includes a mix of dust, pollen, and other environmental debris that dish soap is not formulated to tackle.
You Don’t Use Just Water to Clean Yourself – Give Condensers the Same Treatment
While using only water to clean condenser and evaporator coils is the most common option and can be a good solution intermittently, it is often not effective enough. Water alone cannot break down the oils, grease, and tougher grime that accumulate on the coils, especially on units that have not been serviced regularly.
Without the ability to dissolve these substances, water can only remove surface-level dust and debris. This means that much of the dirt remains, continuing to impede the efficiency of the coils and potentially leading to long-term damage.
Go with the One That is Safe and Specially Formulated – That’s Viper
Viper Condenser Coil Cleaners are engineered with a specialized formulation designed to effectively dissolve and remove the types of dirt, grease, and grime that typically accumulate on HVAC-R condenser and evaporator coils.
The coil cleaner’s pH-balanced, salt-free formula is gentle on the delicate metals used in condenser coils, such as micro-channel, aluminum and copper. This helps maintain the integrity of the coils, preventing corrosion and significantly extending the lifespan of the system.
Additionally, Viper cleaners are non-corrosive, non-toxic, and completely safe for use in food-related environments. They are NSF registered, Kosher certified, and ideal for use in commercial kitchens or any area where food safety is a priority. The cleaner is a proprietary aqueous detergent and degreasing compound that is biodegradable and EPA compliant, containing no VOCs, HAPs, or TACs.
By choosing Viper Condenser Coil Cleaners, you not only protect your equipment but also enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system. Clean coils mean your system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the desired temperature, leading to lower energy bills and a more durable, longer-lasting system.
Learn more about Viper coil cleaners here.