6 questions
Maintenance & How Your System Works
How do I clean my AC evaporator coil?
Don’t rub or scrape the evaporator coil, and don’t touch the fins at all. Use a spray-on, no-rinse coil cleaner. See “Which coil cleaner is best?” below to learn more.
Which coil cleaner is best?
Our go-to for regular cleaning is Viper coil cleaner. It’s degreasing and food grade, and works on both condensers and evaporators. For coils that are a bit dirtier, we use Nu-Calgon Evap Foam No Rinse, which has a bit of a smell. For very heavy buildup we use Triple D by Diversitech, which should be rinsed so it leaves no residue.
What does a condenser coil look like?
The condenser coil wraps around the outside of the outdoor unit. It’s the grid of thin metal fins you can see through the unit’s grille, and it releases the heat taken out of your home. Keep plants and debris away from it so it can breathe.
What’s inside my AC air handler?
The air handler is the indoor part of your system. Inside you’ll typically find the blower that moves air through your home, the evaporator coil that removes heat and moisture, the air filter, the drain pan, and, in many Florida homes, electric heat strips for backup heat.
What’s inside the big square box in my house?
That big box is usually your air handler, the indoor half of your AC system. Marcus opens one up in this short video so you can see what’s inside.
What’s a mixing box in an HVAC system?
A mixing box blends return air from inside the building with fresh outside air before it goes through the system. It’s most common on commercial systems that need to bring in ventilation air.