When it comes to your heating or cooling system, proper maintenance is a good way to ensure a long and fully-functioning life for your unit. If you have a Calgary air conditioning unit, it's a good idea to have evaporator coils cleaned at least every three months. Here's how you do it:
Tools You Will Need:
A Large Hand Mirror
A Wire
A Stiff Brush
A Screwdriver
Household Bleach
Once you have acquired these tools, you will need to locate the evaporator coils. The evaporator for the system is located directly about the furnace in the main duct (or plenum). If your unit has a sealed plenum, you'll know that you won't be able to clean it yourself. Customers of The Gentlemen Plumbers come across this problem often, but if you give us a call, we will be able to clean the system for you quickly and easily.
If you can open your AC's plenum, you will want to start by removing the foil-wrapped insulation at the front of the duct. Because you will have to put the insulation back in place, be sure to be very careful while you are removing it. Then, remove the access plate behind the insulation with the screwdriver.
At this point, you should be able to see the actual evaporator. Use the hand mirror and stiff brush to clean out the underside of the evaporator unit. You should also clean out the tray sitting below the evaporator. Do this by pouring bleach into the weep hole. This will prevent future fungus growth.
Once you have finished cleaning the unit, screw the access plate back on and re-tape the insulation to its place over the duct. As always, if you have questions or need help with your Calgary air conditioning unit, be sure to call The Gentlemen Plumbers!..