Question:
Hello all, I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I demand a new condensor? Thanks, Mark
Response:
Previously, Mark Forbes wrote in misc.consumers.house, alt.home.repair: > Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark
Yes, bent fins can cause your AC to work harder than it needs to. If the condenser isn’t leaking it probably doesn’t need to be replaced. Generally the fins can be straightened out. You can buy fin combs to do it, or a few minutes work with a small screwdriver (go easy, and don’t force anything) can straighten those areas out quite easily. You say its a new home. If so, ask the builder to straighten them out.
Response:
> Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor?
If there are only a few places like this then it’s not a problem. Too much area mashed will cut airflow and reduce AC effectiveness. I believe that you can buy a "comb" that will straighten out the fins. Afterwards, consider placing a better cover over the unit to prevent further damage (but be sure to not restrict airflow). Provided that most of the fins can be straightened then there would be no need to replace the condenser. Of course you can demand anything you want. — Dan Hicks If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a grammarian eat?
Response:
> Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark
they can get it combed, with a small plastic(nylon) comb. it has a nandle like a scre driver with about 4 differnt comb setting on the other end, they just put it into a place that has no defects and pull it down into the messed up area and it will straighten out alright.
Response:
You need to have them replace the condenser. This is like smashing the fins flat on your radiator. That’s ridiculous for a new house; must have gotten a deal on scratch and dent models! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark
Response:
> Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark
If this is a NEW home tell the builder that there is a problem with the coil on the air cond. he will have it replaced by the air/cond. man
Response:
I would tell them to replace it. If it is a new home you have some leverage. Think of it this way: if you returned the condenser unit to the manufacturer, would they accept it back as "new?" I don’t think so. There is a slight possibility that your homebuilder intentionally bought factory rejects at a discounted price, but I would give them the benefit of the doubt and let them have a chance to show how they value you as a customer. Functionally the fins are press-fit onto the condenser tubing. If they are combed out the contact between the fin and the tubing is usually compromised, which could cause lower efficiency. Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello all, >I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas >about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed >flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I >demand a new condensor? >Thanks, >Mark
Response:
If it is on a NEW home, as in, never lived in, then the contractor must have had a special deal on that unit…probably was laying around at the supply house waiting for someone to make an offer on it..firesale deals…you know. As far as hurting the operation, that depends on the overall area that has had the airflow compromised. It can have the fins cleaned up and all will be fine, unless the fins have been crushed to the point a fin comb will not straighten them. Even if a comb would clean them up, if it was MY home and I was in the process of buying it, I would demand a new unit be installed just because. Its a new home and you dont want a unit that looks like every schoolkid in the neighborhood discovered that the fins can be mashed in. That and if they skimped on the condenser, what else have they skimped on? Condensers like that can be had cheaper than perfect ones, and some supply companies wont even sell them if they look like that. Two or three area that are SLIGHTLY bent in when new can be normal, but we clean those up if we find them, and if the coil has an area that we cant clean up when we buy it, we take it back and get a new one. That guy should have done the same. — www.carolinabreezehvac.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark
Response:
If it were me, I would take wood shim and comb the fins out myself. The reason is that your new unit was probably installed as a sealed precharged system. This is good assurance of a moisture free system with the proper charge. If the builder replaces the condensing unit, he may likely have to evaculate and recharge the system. If you are lucky and a professionally licensed HVAC worker does the work, then you are in good shape. But often, the guys who install new units are not HVAC licensed because their work is so routine and simple. I would not want to put the complete system at risk by opening it up to replace the condenser unit. Bent fins are not a serious problem.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark
Response:
> Even if a comb would clean them up, if it was MY home and I was in the > process of buying it, I would demand a new unit be installed just because. > Its a new home and you dont want a unit that looks like every schoolkid in > the neighborhood discovered that the fins can be mashed in.
I’ve rarely seen an AC condenser that didn’t have a few flattened areas by the time it was installed. Demanding that it be "perfect" is unreasonable. What we haven’t determined is how bad the situation is. — Dan Hicks Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. –Albert Einstein
Response:
If I paid %150K for a brand new house, I sure as hell wouldn’t want a damaged condenser, even if some guy sat with an Ace High fin comb and straightened it out. It never looks as good as a new one. For a brand new house, I would want it to be PERFECT. And some of the condensers have wavy fins that do not straighten out with any fin comb. Vicki – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark > they can get it combed, with a small plastic(nylon) comb. it has a > nandle like a scre driver with about 4 differnt comb setting on the > other end, they just put it into a place that has no defects and pull it > down into the messed up area and it will straighten out alright.
Response:
> If I paid %150K for a brand new house, I sure as hell > wouldn’t want a damaged condenser, even if some guy sat with > an Ace High fin comb and straightened it out. It never > looks as good as a new one. For a brand new house, I would > want it to be PERFECT. And some of the condensers have wavy > fins that do not straighten out with any fin comb.
There’s no such thing as a perfect house. There will always be blemishes and imperfections, even in a $150 million house. — Dan Hicks Truth can never be told so as to be understood, and not be believed. – William Blake
Response:
No, its not. I have never, and will NEVER install a unit, or leave a unit with bent fin one. Dont believe it, I have about 5 installs going on this week, and you are welcome to come inspect each one. — www.carolinabreezehvac.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Even if a comb would clean them up, if it was MY home and I was in the > process of buying it, I would demand a new unit be installed just because. > Its a new home and you dont want a unit that looks like every schoolkid in > the neighborhood discovered that the fins can be mashed in. > I’ve rarely seen an AC condenser that didn’t have a few flattened areas > by the time it was installed. Demanding that it be "perfect" is > unreasonable. What we haven’t determined is how bad the situation is. > — > Dan Hicks > Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge > is > shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. –Albert Einstein
Response:
> Even if a comb would clean them up, if it was MY home and I was in the > process of buying it, I would demand a new unit be installed just because. > Its a new home and you dont want a unit that looks like every schoolkid in > the neighborhood discovered that the fins can be mashed in.
I’ve rarely seen an AC condenser that didn’t have a few flattened areas by the time it was installed. Demanding that it be "perfect" is unreasonable. What we haven’t determined is how bad the situation is. — Dan Hicks Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. –Albert Einstein
Response:
If I paid %150K for a brand new house, I sure as hell wouldn’t want a damaged condenser, even if some guy sat with an Ace High fin comb and straightened it out. It never looks as good as a new one. For a brand new house, I would want it to be PERFECT. And some of the condensers have wavy fins that do not straighten out with any fin comb. Vicki – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, > I am in the process of purchasing a new home and identified multiple areas > about 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches on the condensor that have the fins smooshed > flat. Will this affect the operation of my air conditioner? Should I > demand a new condensor? > Thanks, > Mark > they can get it combed, with a small plastic(nylon) comb. it has a > nandle like a scre driver with about 4 differnt comb setting on the > other end, they just put it into a place that has no defects and pull it > down into the messed up area and it will straighten out alright.
Response:
> If I paid %150K for a brand new house, I sure as hell > wouldn’t want a damaged condenser, even if some guy sat with > an Ace High fin comb and straightened it out. It never > looks as good as a new one. For a brand new house, I would > want it to be PERFECT. And some of the condensers have wavy > fins that do not straighten out with any fin comb.
There’s no such thing as a perfect house. There will always be blemishes and imperfections, even in a $150 million house. — Dan Hicks Truth can never be told so as to be understood, and not be believed. – William Blake
Response:
No, its not. I have never, and will NEVER install a unit, or leave a unit with bent fin one. Dont believe it, I have about 5 installs going on this week, and you are welcome to come inspect each one. — www.carolinabreezehvac.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Even if a comb would clean them up, if it was MY home and I was in the > process of buying it, I would demand a new unit be installed just because. > Its a new home and you dont want a unit that looks like every schoolkid in > the neighborhood discovered that the fins can be mashed in. > I’ve rarely seen an AC condenser that didn’t have a few flattened areas > by the time it was installed. Demanding that it be "perfect" is > unreasonable. What we haven’t determined is how bad the situation is. > — > Dan Hicks > Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge > is > shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. –Albert Einstein
Response:
Hi Dan, hope you are having a nice day 20-Aug-01 16:27:55, Dan Hicks wrote to All DH> I’ve rarely seen an AC condenser that didn’t have a few flattened DH> areas by the time it was installed. Demanding that it be "perfect" DH> is unreasonable. What we haven’t determined is how bad the DH> situation is. It is quite reasonable. I have never flattened any coils when I install a system. I take pride in my work and am very careful when installing a system. .. If you live long enough, it WILL kill you… ___ TagDude 0.92
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