HVAC Access Panel

[YaoiGirlAngelbratt]

How would one go about cleaning an A type coil? Do you come from the below access or do you have to remove a panel on the side?

[DrZarkloff]

@YaoiGirlAngelbratt The best way to clean an A coil is to remove it from the system and clean it outside. Please check out my video entitled, HVAC Evaporator Cleaning

[BeeRich33]

Dr, where can I get one of those doors? I need to clean my drip pan. Do you use a jig saw or a Dremel to cut that hole?

[DrZarkloff]

@BeeRich33 Electric double cuts is the best way to cut metal duct. Duct board can be cut with a knife. Access doors can be purchased at any HVAC parts house if they'll sell to you. Maybe, some home improvement centers will have them.

[BeeRich33]

@DrZarkloff Thanks Doc. I found out some more about my application. It's pretty cramped, so I have to use the current hole that's plated over and taped. There's construction sawdust in my evaporation drip pan. Sheesh. Blocked the drain and it was flooding the furnace room.

[DrZarkloff]

A good tech should have it all done in 2 to 3 hours.

[DrZarkloff]

Please check out my Ultra Violet lights video.

[DrZarkloff]

I think that you'll have to remove the coil to clean it.

[mortakye]

Hi Dr. Zarkloff,

I want to thank you for saving me lots of money! I listen to you closely and have even saved my brother and parents money also. My question today is; Since my A-coil is located above my gas furnace ( I know I have to remove it to clean it), What does it take to remove it?

[DrZarkloff]

It's good to hear that my videos are helping people. Thanks. You might want to hire an a/c tech to remove the evaporator coil. You'd need some special equipment: vacuum pump, oxy-acetylene torch and a new liquid line filter drier.

[angelzxr4ti]

Hi nice video I have a question about the evaporative coils are they suppose to be sealed so no air can go around them?I was looking at mine and i can see where the air will go aroung the sides and top of the coil.My system lays flat unlike yours I just want to make sure this has to be sealed so all the air will get cooled and not just go around the coil since it is less restrictive.

[DrZarkloff]

Every system is designed different. But typically, most systems are sealed to where you can't see light around the edges. I have seen some where you can see a crack of light around the edges.

[waters65]

ok thought so was hoping for a miracle

[waters65]

what if the coil is above a furnace such as an oil fired or gas fired unit in the basement how would you keep the water from ruining the burner components

[DrZarkloff]

Sorry. You'd have to remove the coil for cleaning under those conditions.

[itscool1968]

ight want to check it out i like what you do and would hate to see the cmos sensor in youre cam get runied .

and will you ever do some videos on youre own system so some of us who can do preventive mantaince can do what we can to keep oure systems in top shape

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks and yes I have a PM video planned.

[itscool1968]

will the uv light damange the camra?

[DrZarkloff]

I rather doubt it.

[BattMann911]

Wow that was fast! Thanks. Do you use regular coil cleaner on it? A wet vac? A hose? Should it be cleaned from the top or underneath? Thanks.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. I use a wet vac so that the water from the hose doesn't drip all over the place. First, I clean it from the bottom then from the top. The return side of any coil is where the crud builds up over time.

[mechanicwarrior20]

Brilliance Jim shear Brilliance :) Thats actually a really smart thing to do rather then having to take the plenum a part in order to get access; you can just simply access the evaporator coil from underneath. :)

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. I like to do things the simple way.

[bowlingballout]

Hmmm so a regular AC has those coils like a fridge? I've never cleaned ours. Uh oh...

[DrZarkloff]

If your a/c is older than five years old then you might want to take a look at it.