HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs Coil Cleaning with John Pastorello
In this episode, we speak with the founder of Refrigeration Technologies, John Pastorello. He also tells us all about chemicals, cleaners, and HVAC coil cleaning.
John Pastorello started out working as a chemist before becoming an A/C installer. He initially planned to return to a lab job, but he found his niche in HVAC work. He took his chemistry experience to his HVAC work to develop better chemical products. It all started with his decision to make a better leak detector fluid (Big Blu). However, John knew that you can't build a company around one product, so Refrigeration Technologies was born.
An ideal condenser coil cleaning starts with having the correct dilution ratio. There is a bell curve of effectiveness, and using too much cleaner can be as ineffective as using too little cleaner. Typically, we can optimize soil removal with a dilution of one part cleaner to five parts water. You can pre-rinse with enough pressure to "punch through" the coil. Then, you can apply the foam detergent. Foam guns can make it easy for soil molecules to bond to the detergent. John recommends starting at the bottom and working upwards, keeping the foam gun close to the condenser the entire time. Give the detergent some time to penetrate through the soil, and then rinse. Repeat the process for maximum effectiveness, upping the dilution ratio this time.
Evaporator coils can develop a unique problem: biofilm. Very few cleaners attack that protein biofilm. EVAP+ coil cleaner contains enzymes that can digest biofilm and remove it over time.
John and Bryan also discuss:
- Acid vs. alkaline products
- "Green" products and performance
- Cleaning products and bodily hazards (itching, scarring, etc.)
- Foam cleaning
- Coil brushing
- Testing new chemicals
- Chlorine corrosion on aluminum oils
- Pan and drain cleaners
Visit the Refrigeration Technologies website and learn more about their products at refrigtech.com.
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