There is an easy technique on how to straighten air conditioner condenser fins. It only takes less than 5 minutes to get them straightened out. Yes, it will never be fully straight, but you can straighten the condenser coil fins out to improve your air conditioner performance.
An air conditioner fins are part of the condenser that moves warm air away from the unit while running. It looks like a grill with metal fins all along with it. The condenser coil fins can easily bend because they are so delicate.
The AC units still work well with a few bent fins, but heavily bent or damaged ones will restrict the airflow and affect the unit’s efficiency.
When the air conditioner fins are bent, more heat is trapped within the condenser. It was similar to when the unit gets clogged. The unit will work harder and longer to cool off your home, which means a decrease in efficiency for the entire HVAC system.
Although it’s best to call a professional HVAC technician, you can straighten air conditioner fins yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. Here’s a brief guide on how to get the job’s done.
- Shut off the power to your air conditioner system.
- Remove the panel and wire grille to expose the fins.
- Remove all screws and lift off the fan and grille.
- Take off the evaporator coil’s front cover plate.
- Start at the bottom of the condenser fins, insert the fin tool and move upwards carefully to straighten air conditioner fins.
- Repeat the process on any area where the fins are bend.
An AC fin tool (AC fin comb) is a small tool with soft bristles that straighten and clean the evaporator and condenser coils. Fin tools are usually sold with interchangeable heads. You’ll need to match the heads with the number of fins per inch on the system.
The AC condenser has limited bent fins to left away. If your AC fins are inadequately bent or completely crushed, you need to call an HVAC professional for a proper solution.
AC condenser fins can be dented by foreign objects such as pets or branches that contact the coil fins. It’s essential to keep the AC fins protected to ensure your air conditioner isn’t working harder than it needs to. Straightening the air conditioner bent fins will optimize the airflow and improve the overall system’s performance.
