Finally a guy that can just keep it simple and get to the point without going off on a rabbit trail with a lot of info we don't need. I am going to do this and thanks again for keeping it short. Great video
Way too many "here's a 20 minute video where I give the history of each tool used in this job, 3 sponsor ads, then 45 seconds of useful information about how to actually do the job." On RUclips.
Tip, easy way to locate ecap coils is look for the condensate drain pipe. Typically a white pvc pipe about an inch thick (half inch pvc). It should lead to condensate pump (small box with power cord, and platic hose to outside or to floor drain). Where that pvc exits furnace is base of evap coils. Now look for a screwed in access hatch near where pipe comes out.
I just wanna say as a new home owner videos like these are a life saver! I have 3 stepdaughters and our ac has been spotty this helped right away thanks!
You make great videos for those who are handy and have some know how of how things should work. I also did not know that a tool for straighting fins existed. I would just carefully straighten them out by hand
Thank you! Your video was complete, concise and easy to follow!. I usually clean the condenser coils, but never thought about cleaning the inside evaporator coils (doh!) I'll be tackling this project over the weekend.
I hired an HVAC company to do a whole house duct cleaning and fresh new hvac install. They blew compressed air into ALL my ducts AFTER the installation of the new system. What do you think happened? Anyway, couldn't get them to admit fault and they insisted the "filter caught everything as evidenced in how dirty the filter is!" So they refused to clean my evap coil. Promised to replace my filters, but they never did - just a bunch of empty promises (must have had 3 different rep tell me). This video is encouraging and I think I'll tackle cleaning the evap coil myself!
Great video! You mentioned if the coil was dirty something could ice over. What would ice over? My outside unit had frost on most of its fins. The frost was there in the morning, but was gone by noon. Could that be caused by dirty coils?
Something is blocking path of condensed water to escape to condensate pump. Likely debris in gutter like channel meant to direct dripping water to pump. Clean those gutter channels. Now go to walmart or similar, and buy rust converting paint. Converts rust to an inert state, and paints it black at same time. This paint won't last unless you fix the water drain issue, so do that first.
Is it okay to blow out the dust from the evaporator coils using leaf blower? So basically what I was thinking of is reaching into the bottom of the AC opening unit where the evaporator coil is and then just turning on a leaf blower. is it a good idea
Great video and very well explained. I have a two year old American Standard home unit and live in the Houston Tx area so even in winter we have to turn on the A/C. Well I turned it on the other day and this very bad smell came out , which I found out seems to be very common on these new units. It smells like dirty socks. I am going to attempt to clean my evaporator coils tomorrow and then spray Odoban on them to see if the smell goes away. I would appreciate it if you would offer your opinion on this issue and on how I'm going to try to treat it.
Sounds like you may have mold growth which could mean that it wasn’t installed properly and the water from the evaporator coil is not draining properly
Question: I think I know the answer to this but I am going to ask it anyway. If after using the foam cleaner you choose to rinse it with a pump sprayer, are there any concerns about too much water? What about getting the blower motor wet? Or are they designed so that's not really an issue because of the drainage for condensation?
There should be a drain, if it doesn't drain you can suck it out with a wet/shop vac. If you are running a horizontal setup your coil should be on the supply end with the blower motor on the opposite side, blowing air towards the coil and not sucking the water towards it.
You should be able to. The evaporator coils should be installed in such a way that they drain into the drain pan. If you use a sprayer like I did (just clean water) you should be fine because it's not pouring a lot of water on the coil at a time...it's almost like the condensation it naturally produces and drains.
Approaching from the front, there are a lot of coils in the way of access panel removal on my carrier a-coil. Can you access the underside for cleaning via a backdoor access panel. If so, I would create an access door from the rear of the furnace where I would be less likely to cause any damage?
I know this is an older video but I have a coil that from my understanding needed cleaning my father always told me that when I start getting water in my vent that it needs to be cleaned is this a real thing or am I running into something that could be different
No! That would require depressurizing the system, then repressurize after. You'd need an ac guy to do that, defeating purpose of diy. He has those coils on his bench just to show you what they look like. Clean then in place like full video shows.
As long as you're careful with the fins, you could try. There are times that they get plugged so much that a vacuum wouldn't even clean it out. If your's isn't too bad and a vacuum will get the job done, go for it! This wasn't my favorite thing to do and I hope I don't have to do it again too soon. 😂
The evaporator coils drip condensate constantly. There are gutter like channels that direct it to condensate pump. So most of the water he sprays just follows that route. Important not to spray something that has a lot of force. Make sure it just wets coils and water then drips off as it rinses. Not spray the water past coils with force.
Yes, just not a lot of room and it'd be easy to mash coils on other side as you go. A right angle attachment would be ideal. The typical fabric brush attachment isn't quite 90 degrees, but would probably work ok. It'll never get upper part of A frame, but then you could hover the vac below as you used a hand brush to knock debris loose. Suck it up as it falls. But still need that carboard barrier! Vac up what falls there before remove cardboard.
I have to say to do it right it has to be removed and clean with acid having a technician do it properly. I've been doing this for over 25 years. Doing what he's doing is just getting the top dirt off the coil think about what's in between the fins. And spraying water over a furnace and a blower motor is going to make more problems for you. Call or contact your local technician have it done right. There's a lot of specialty tools knowledge experience that goes with this. Just knocking some dust off the top the coil is not going to solve the problem. that no rinse coil cleaner that he was using is made to put on a quarrel that might have a little bit of cigarette smoke stain or sanitizing a free-flowing coil. If you live in a local Lafayette area get in touch with me oh my email be glad to help you out I am a universal technician that means I could work on ice machines commercial Central units commercial residential. There's a big difference between the two make sure the technician you use is educated enough to actually work on the system that you have. I would not trust that or do that to a customer. do it the right way do it one time everybody's happier
We have a brand new toll brothers house where they ran both air-conditioning units inside the house upstairs and the one in the garage without air filters for 3 1/2 months. I observed the carrier AC company for Toll Brothers removing 8 gallons of water from the frozen AC unit in the garage and photograph the coded drywall and building particles on the evaporator coil‘s. I videotaped it as I am planning on buying the house. The upstairs AC unit was so badly dented you couldn’t put a filter in it and they replaced it. Now they ran The fan for three days in the garage to dry the remaining waterlogged insulation and they cleaned the drywall paste and building particles off the coils that are aluminum. I learned from our $380 home inspector that the coils are now dented. Toll Brothers says the air conditioning unit in the garage is fine the way it is and we should just accept it. If the coils are dented and all of the above had happened to the unit, is there any way it will run normally or should I be concerned? Please advise!
Finally a guy that can just keep it simple and get to the point without going off on a rabbit trail with a lot of info we don't need. I am going to do this and thanks again for keeping it short. Great video
My thoughts exactly!
Omg ikr!
Way too many "here's a 20 minute video where I give the history of each tool used in this job, 3 sponsor ads, then 45 seconds of useful information about how to actually do the job." On RUclips.
Tip, easy way to locate ecap coils is look for the condensate drain pipe. Typically a white pvc pipe about an inch thick (half inch pvc). It should lead to condensate pump (small box with power cord, and platic hose to outside or to floor drain).
Where that pvc exits furnace is base of evap coils. Now look for a screwed in access hatch near where pipe comes out.
This guy is amazing! Super sweet short and to the point.
I just wanna say as a new home owner videos like these are a life saver! I have 3 stepdaughters and our ac has been spotty this helped right away thanks!
Some serious thanks! I was quoted $760 to solve this problem with an overly complex explanation of the problem. This video saved my butt.
You make great videos for those who are handy and have some know how of how things should work. I also did not know that a tool for straighting fins existed. I would just carefully straighten them out by hand
Thank you. This is a well done video that makes me feel confident to tackle my AC system this summer!
Best instructions ever. Super simple. Thanks. I am tackle this project myself. My hubby will be surprised 😁
Did you do this project yet ?
I'm getting ready to start this project right now. Just moved into this house AC isnt cooling house very well. Wish me luck.
One of the best videos I seen
Great explanation of how to identify and clean a dirty A coil. Thank you!
Thank you! Your video was complete, concise and easy to follow!. I usually clean the condenser coils, but never thought about cleaning the inside evaporator coils (doh!) I'll be tackling this project over the weekend.
THank you Im subscribed ! single mama here and this helps alot!
Easy to understand & do. Common sense approach. Thanks!
Thank you so much. This is exactly how these types of videos should be made. Subscribing to your channel.
Thank you. I always appreciate your well explained and easy to follow videos.
Glad you like them!
👏 Awesome video!!! That No-Rinse is amazing as well. Have a great weekend
Thank you! You too!
This was an excellent video. you should have more subscribers!
Good,& encouraging. You should also STRESS removal of the cardboard before buttoning up.
Great video ! ❤
"It's always a good sign when you don't have screws left over" hilarious and sooo true.
I hired an HVAC company to do a whole house duct cleaning and fresh new hvac install. They blew compressed air into ALL my ducts AFTER the installation of the new system. What do you think happened?
Anyway, couldn't get them to admit fault and they insisted the "filter caught everything as evidenced in how dirty the filter is!" So they refused to clean my evap coil. Promised to replace my filters, but they never did - just a bunch of empty promises (must have had 3 different rep tell me). This video is encouraging and I think I'll tackle cleaning the evap coil myself!
Thank you for a very well explained procedure.
Thank you sooooo much for making an efficient, right to the solution, kind of video! Very helpful!!!
Excellent video and VERY helpful..... Thanks so much!
Thanks for this clear explanation
Great video, no click bait, nice and clear!
Great video. And information.
Thanks for the tips. Wish mine was easy to get to like yours. 😔
Thanks for the helpful advice it worked like a charm
Excellent video. Clear instructions for the DIYer. Thanks!
Good video...thanks for getting to the point...it is appreciated!
Great video! You mentioned if the coil was dirty something could ice over. What would ice over? My outside unit had frost on most of its fins. The frost was there in the morning, but was gone by noon. Could that be caused by dirty coils?
It could be dirty coils, dirty filter and/or low refrigerant.
Thank you for this video!
Good video, I saw that you removed the cover in the center attached to the A coil.
Can I just use a water hose with pressure to push out the dirt?
Excellent! Question: the metal frame on both ends is rusting, how to prevent it and fix it? Thanks!
Something is blocking path of condensed water to escape to condensate pump. Likely debris in gutter like channel meant to direct dripping water to pump.
Clean those gutter channels.
Now go to walmart or similar, and buy rust converting paint. Converts rust to an inert state, and paints it black at same time. This paint won't last unless you fix the water drain issue, so do that first.
My evaporator dont have access door, what shoul I do cut the metal?
Thanks this is really a Great helpful video
Good informative video. Thank you.
Thanks for the info!!! Very helpful 👌
Is it okay to blow out the dust from the evaporator coils using leaf blower? So basically what I was thinking of is reaching into the bottom of the AC opening unit where the evaporator coil is and then just turning on a leaf blower. is it a good idea
I'm not an expert, but I think a vacuum would be a better idea. A blower sounds like it would make a mess.
Did you just let the water and cleaner wash down into the evap pan? It will just wash out the condensate line, right?
Great video and very well explained. I have a two year old American Standard home unit and live in the Houston Tx area so even in winter we have to turn on the A/C. Well I turned it on the other day and this very bad smell came out , which I found out seems to be very common on these new units. It smells like dirty socks. I am going to attempt to clean my evaporator coils tomorrow and then spray Odoban on them to see if the smell goes away. I would appreciate it if you would offer your opinion on this issue and on how I'm going to try to treat it.
Sounds like you may have mold growth which could mean that it wasn’t installed properly and the water from the evaporator coil is not draining properly
Will this fix a musty smell coming from the vents?
Question: I think I know the answer to this but I am going to ask it anyway.
If after using the foam cleaner you choose to rinse it with a pump sprayer, are there any concerns about too much water? What about getting the blower motor wet? Or are they designed so that's not really an issue because of the drainage for condensation?
There should be a drain, if it doesn't drain you can suck it out with a wet/shop vac. If you are running a horizontal setup your coil should be on the supply end with the blower motor on the opposite side, blowing air towards the coil and not sucking the water towards it.
They are designed to get wet because of the condensation that naturally occurs.
EXACTLY THE SAME QUESTION HERE... AC COMPANY CHARGING $350 for cleaning....
ITS SO HELPFUL TIPS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING GREAT TIPS. HOWEVER, COIL FOAMS CLEANER NO RISEN IS EXPENSIVE. I FOUND IT EASY FOR
LADY JOBS.
Love your logo
This is the best video
Why is one side of my A coil very dark (black) and the other side is mostly silver even after I cleaned it?
I have a Trane encased flat coil installed in the attic. I can't figure out how to access it. Does this style coil also require regular cleaning?
Thanks will try have a look
I have a Lennox 4 ton unit with the heater under the evaporator coil. Can I rinse also with out damaging the heater?
You should be able to. The evaporator coils should be installed in such a way that they drain into the drain pan. If you use a sprayer like I did (just clean water) you should be fine because it's not pouring a lot of water on the coil at a time...it's almost like the condensation it naturally produces and drains.
Ive never had an evap so easily accessed
Awesome video
Approaching from the front, there are a lot of coils in the way of access panel removal on my carrier a-coil. Can you access the underside for cleaning via a backdoor access panel. If so, I would create an access door from the rear of the furnace where I would be less likely to cause any damage?
I know this is an older video but I have a coil that from my understanding needed cleaning my father always told me that when I start getting water in my vent that it needs to be cleaned is this a real thing or am I running into something that could be different
Is it common to remove the evaporator coil for cleaning?
No! That would require depressurizing the system, then repressurize after. You'd need an ac guy to do that, defeating purpose of diy.
He has those coils on his bench just to show you what they look like. Clean then in place like full video shows.
i still don't get y we need 2 rinse what's labeled as 'no rinse' :) do u have a tip 4 DIY mold clean up?
Thank you !!!!
This helped!
Thanks 🙏 for the video the plumber wants to charge $500 to clean it I’ll try myself first
Nice video
Could you just use a vacuum to clean it if it’s not too gunky?
As long as you're careful with the fins, you could try. There are times that they get plugged so much that a vacuum wouldn't even clean it out. If your's isn't too bad and a vacuum will get the job done, go for it! This wasn't my favorite thing to do and I hope I don't have to do it again too soon. 😂
Nice!
What is he using to rinse it without getting water all in the furnace?
The evaporator coils drip condensate constantly. There are gutter like channels that direct it to condensate pump. So most of the water he sprays just follows that route.
Important not to spray something that has a lot of force. Make sure it just wets coils and water then drips off as it rinses. Not spray the water past coils with force.
Could you just use a vacuum with an attachment tool to gently brush and clean the coil?
Yes, just not a lot of room and it'd be easy to mash coils on other side as you go. A right angle attachment would be ideal. The typical fabric brush attachment isn't quite 90 degrees, but would probably work ok.
It'll never get upper part of A frame, but then you could hover the vac below as you used a hand brush to knock debris loose. Suck it up as it falls.
But still need that carboard barrier! Vac up what falls there before remove cardboard.
What are you using to rinse??
use water to rinse off the foam cleaner if desired. he's using a plant sprayer.
sounds good but only problem is : can't find any foam cleaner in Canada, probably due to some stupid laws or whatnot
Next... How would you do this with a sealed plenum
👌🏼🙏🏼
What's the name of the liquid that you put on the coil
I am cautious that some cleaners can be corrosive if not washed away.
I've read condensation on the coils would make it self-rinse.
I have to say to do it right it has to be removed and clean with acid having a technician do it properly. I've been doing this for over 25 years. Doing what he's doing is just getting the top dirt off the coil think about what's in between the fins. And spraying water over a furnace and a blower motor is going to make more problems for you. Call or contact your local technician have it done right. There's a lot of specialty tools knowledge experience that goes with this. Just knocking some dust off the top the coil is not going to solve the problem. that no rinse coil cleaner that he was using is made to put on a quarrel that might have a little bit of cigarette smoke stain or sanitizing a free-flowing coil. If you live in a local Lafayette area get in touch with me oh my email be glad to help you out I am a universal technician that means I could work on ice machines commercial Central units commercial residential. There's a big difference between the two make sure the technician you use is educated enough to actually work on the system that you have. I would not trust that or do that to a customer. do it the right way do it one time everybody's happier
We know that acid is corrosive, so I think it would need to be washed away.
Stop complaining an tell us your technique instead. People come here to save money not to hear you telling us to call technicians.
never trust an hvac guy wearing a tie.......hehehe
Haha..luckily the Guy with the T-Shirt showed up and saved the day!
@@Lonesome_Loser hahahaaa. That laugh was based on my own imagination.
● COULD A DIRTY EVAPORATOR COIL CAUSE WATER LEAK ????
Every wife out there who is married to a handyman, don't want to here any complaints about your life.
HOW DID HE STOP THE RINS WATER FROM GETING IN THE FURNCE & BLOWER FAN$$$???
We have a brand new toll brothers house where they ran both air-conditioning units inside the house upstairs and the one in the garage without air filters for 3 1/2 months. I observed the carrier AC company for Toll Brothers removing 8 gallons of water from the frozen AC unit in the garage and photograph the coded drywall and building particles on the evaporator coil‘s. I videotaped it as I am planning on buying the house. The upstairs AC unit was so badly dented you couldn’t put a filter in it and they replaced it. Now they ran The fan for three days in the garage to dry the remaining waterlogged insulation and they cleaned the drywall paste and building particles off the coils that are aluminum. I learned from our $380 home inspector that the coils are now dented. Toll Brothers says the air conditioning unit in the garage is fine the way it is and we should just accept it. If the coils are dented and all of the above had happened to the unit, is there any way it will run normally or should I be concerned? Please advise!
Great Video!!