Air Conditioner service

[iontrap]

Just had my home AC serviced, the unit wasn't cooling properly. The guy suggested that I use the least restrictive filters on the returns i.e. the cheap ones, is this really a good idea?
He also suggested that the coils on the unit be cleaned. What exactly is involved in cleaning the coils? Is it something a DIYer could do?

 

[JHZR2]

It seems to me that an HVAC is not quite as sensitive to ingesting some dust or whatnot, compared to an engine... So, IMO, a less restrictive filter is smart, and ought if nothing else to reduce power draw for moving air around. Whats the worst it means? dusting the house a bit more often? Cleaning the air handler innards once in a blue moon?

In my apartment, I can only access one side of the evaporator coils... they never look dirty, even with the cheapo filters (and seldom replaement schedule). For the outside unit (condensor), Ive never seen one that is actually dirty, unless its engulfed in leaves and vines. Seems to me that once when a stick fell into a unit and tripped the thermal switch, the repairman just took off the sides and grilles to get to the affeted stuff.

JMH

 

[steeltoe]

As long as you change them often they work fine. I do mine on a monthly cycle, every time the light bill comes, change filters. If you do the math it doesn't cost any more than the high dollar filters changed every three months or so. Also the coile cleaning is easy to do. Just go to Lowes or any hardware store that sells HVAC stuff and you can get it right off the shelf. You can mix it up in a garden sprayer and just soak the coils down for a couple of minutes, then wash off with a waterhose.

 

[Schmoe]

I think he's talking about the evaporator coils on the inside. That depends on where they are at. Mine are outside in the garage, some houses have them inside and it might get messy cleaning them out and you have to be careful. Less restricitive filter means more dirt passing through the coils and they you'll have to clean them eventually as to what the HVAC guy told iontrap. If you or your significant others living in the house have allergies or asthma, you'll need better filters.

 

[kanling]

The efficiency and cooling power of an air conditioner increases with increasing air flow. Naturally, more filter restriction is not good. But, Schmoe is exactly right... the main point of the filters is to protect the coils from getting dirty in the first place. So a less restrictive filter is likely to allow more dirt to coat the coils.

Many (most) homes have undersized air return ducts so that it is difficult to get optimum airflow at anything less than the highest fan blower speed. High restriction filters only hurt. A good solution, if you can, is to improve the capacity of the air return ducts. You can also buy an external air filter box that sits outside of your air handler. In this, you can put a larger sized filter, such as one that is 4" wide instead of the typical 3/4". This solution will give you better filtering while minimizing restriction.

You can certainly clean the outside (condenser) coils and the inside (evaporator) coils yourself if you can gain adequate access. You will find AC coil cleaner in spray cans at many places.

 

[iontrap]

When the guy mentioned cleaning the coils, he was referring to the condensor coils. If I can buy the necessary cleaners for both the condensor and evaporator coils, I'll do that and save a little bit of money.

 

[GoldenRod]

My air return is 10" x 30" and I use no filter on the return side, only on the supply side.

 

[Slick17601]

Get yourself a good 5" media filter. I only have to change my media every 8-10 months. My thermostat tell

s when it's time.