Thread below about new a/c units brings up one of my major gripes with outside a/c compressor units.

They are not easily opened for cleaning!!!

Most often service techs will say you have to clean the coil fins more often to keep the unit efficient. That's certainly understood. Block off any radiator and trouble soon appears.

But it seems to me the mfg should make cleaning the coils an easier task that perhaps any homeowner, or wife should be able to accomplish. I recently cleaned 2 free-standing compressor units made by Carrier. About 14 yrs old. It took about 15 minutes just to remove all the tiny metal screws from the covers to expose the coil fins. Of the 4-sided compressor, one side was very much blocked. I use spray on coil cleaner & a low-pressure power washer to clean the coils. Cleaning was not a problem. Then it took 2 of us to hold & align the cover panels & use the tiny screws (have to be less than 1/2" to not contact coils) to hold them. 2 screws were already stripped out when I removed them. Covers had to be replaced in a certain order due to notches & tabs that have to be aligned before replacing the adjoining panel. Took us a while.

I don't think metal screws are meant to be removed & replaced repeatedly. Why don't the mfg use hinged panels, or panels with built-in snap buckles to make opening them as easy as opening your car door? Then I'd think it would be easier to clean & inspect coils & fins. I'm guessing that somewhere, there are panels now sitting alongside a house that have had the screws stripped out & owner gave up on replacing covers. If one hires commercial HVAC people to clean & inspect, realize you are probably paying 1/2 hr or more just to get the covers off and back on. 

Why not make the covers more easily removable?