Where To Get Parts & Tools for Hacking Heat Pumps

MN Renovator · 02-05-12, 12:00 PM

I typed a bunch of stuff but I've wiped it out because I realized it went off topic.

I'm thinking of getting my evaporator and condenser coils professionally cleaned as well as having the PVC drain line that I clogged when I froze the evap coil(I left the story out as it feels off topic, although not that long, here's the short story) when coming back from as vacation to a 85 degree house that was sun drenched and I turned the A/C on and that night dropped to 45 degrees and I came out to find frost all the way back to the condenser, big whoops but apparently I have the '1986 Bristol compressor that could'. Anyway, I know the evap coil is dirty because of the PVC line getting clogged as the evaporator glacier melted and brought all the crud with it. As long as everything is in check and clean it should get the same efficiency as it was when new. Granted a 1986 A/C probably gets 8-10 SEER but with my current and future envelope retrofits I'm not cooling as much so the savings of a pricier unit 15 SEER or above seem to evaporate and then I'm also replacing a system that is already working well for decades with something that might not last as long and eventually need replacement too.
When/if I call some pros out to clean the coils and replace the PVC to some clear flexible tubing, should I have them not check pressure and leave it alone? The system seems to cool fine, not sure if its running as optimally as it could though and if checking pressures, superheat, and subcool would be a good idea or not?

02-05-12, 12:00 PM	#18
MN Renovator Less usage=Cheaper bills Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 940 Thanks: 41 Thanked 117 Times in 91 Posts	I typed a bunch of stuff but I've wiped it out because I realized it went off topic. I'm thinking of getting my evaporator and condenser coils professionally cleaned as well as having the PVC drain line that I clogged when I froze the evap coil(I left the story out as it feels off topic, although not that long, here's the short story) when coming back from as vacation to a 85 degree house that was sun drenched and I turned the A/C on and that night dropped to 45 degrees and I came out to find frost all the way back to the condenser, big whoops but apparently I have the '1986 Bristol compressor that could'. Anyway, I know the evap coil is dirty because of the PVC line getting clogged as the evaporator glacier melted and brought all the crud with it. As long as everything is in check and clean it should get the same efficiency as it was when new. Granted a 1986 A/C probably gets 8-10 SEER but with my current and future envelope retrofits I'm not cooling as much so the savings of a pricier unit 15 SEER or above seem to evaporate and then I'm also replacing a system that is already working well for decades with something that might not last as long and eventually need replacement too. When/if I call some pros out to clean the coils and replace the PVC to some clear flexible tubing, should I have them not check pressure and leave it alone? The system seems to cool fine, not sure if its running as optimally as it could though and if checking pressures, superheat, and subcool would be a good idea or not?