A-coil clean or replace?

[Boxcar Wllie]

It was recently found that out A-Coil is plugged with an excessive amount of debris and has mold all around it. Would you/can you, clean it or replace? Unit is 20 years old. I have been getting prices on a new furnace and a/c unit and it is a significant expense that I don't have the budget for. Can I get by?

[Eric Wettschreck]

The biggest problem you have here is access to the A-coil itself. Unless you have the tools and know how to access and remove the A-coil youself, you're still going to have to pay to have it removed, cleaned, and re-installed.

Having said that, if you can get it out, yes it can be cleaned. Cleaning in place is tricky at best.

[fastkaw]

There are way to many option to give you a good answer, with out having someone looking at it.

Do not cut the refrigerant lines.

If you can do it your self do it. Vacuum first then a good wash.

If you have to pay someone, I would buy a new a/c Not just a new

evaporator coil. If you furnace is 20yr. old replace it to.

Probably not what you wanted to here.

[Boxcar Wllie]

Does the furnace have to have the A-coil in in the first place? For finance sake, say we replace the furnace this fall, don't hook up an A-coil and replace the A/C in the spring. Possible?

[leech~~]

Does the furnace have to have the A-coil in in the first place? For finance sake, say we replace the furnace this fall, don't hook up an A-coil and replace the A/C in the spring. Possible?

Like Erik said, you will still have to pull the furnace back out to get to the A-coil on top even if you have the AC done later.

[Smoker]

They can make it A/C ready. All they need to do is make a door where the A-coil will be. We do it a lot. No problem adding the A/C in spring. No need to put the A-coil in because that can change in size depending on how efficient of a unit you go with.

[Surface Tension]

Could be as easy as removing the access panel.

Vacuum the A coil with a brush attachment.

Clean what you can from the drip pan and inspect.

Clean the drain from drip pan.

Use a no rinse spray cleaner on the A coil.

Again clean what you can from the drop pan and drain.

When was the last time the furnace was cleaned and what do you have?

[Boxcar Wllie]

They can make it A/C ready. All they need to do is make a door where the A-coil will be. We do it a lot. No problem adding the A/C in spring. No need to put the A-coil in because that can change in size depending on how efficient of a unit you go with.

[sheephead2]

Dirty A coil could also mean your Ducts could be dirty also.

How often do you replace furnace filter.

20 years is a good life for Furnace but if you don't have budget.

Turn power off

Take plenum off and clean it out vacuum it out use a spray bottle and spray Finns but be careful not to damage them .Make sure your drain pan isn't plugged also otherwise you will get water every where and could leak on your electric boards

You can cut out the plenum and just retin the part you cutout looks crappy but gets you by till you need new.

Also if you retin make sure you don't use to long of screws you could hit A coil and then have a leak

[Boxcar Wllie]

Dirty A coil could also mean your Ducts could be dirty also.

How often do you replace furnace filter.

Monthly. I used the expensive filters at first but it would keep tripping the limit switch so they suggested I go with the cheap blue filters to increase air flow.

[sheephead2]

Cheap blue ones help your air flow. But they don't stop any dust.

Pleated filters do restrict air flow.

Maybe duct work is not enough returns or you are blocking them with furniture causing furnace to starve for air causing limit switch to trip

[Tom7227]

"It was allegedly cleaned 2 years ago when the blower was replaced but the last service guy said that it looks like it never was touched."

I might be wrong but I don't see how you can access the A coil without an access panel in the plenum. The blower fan is no where close to the A coil.

If you do try to cut in an access panel be careful that you don't cut any of the lines or the A coil itself. Maybe try and drill a hole in that is big enough for you to get a look at what is where and go from there.

As you check the options on replacing be sure to see what sort of rebates you can get from your utility. I was able to upgrade the AC to a much higher rating for only a small amount extra due to the rebate the higher efficiency unit provided.

[Snowking]

I took mine apart this summer after it not cooling well. Just don't clean the outside its the inside of the a coil that's dirty. Take the Plenum off to get access it the a coil. I left the one side with the copper coming out alone. Next you need to separate the a coil from it self. Mine had 6 quater inch self tappers. Get a flsh light and look inside it. Mine was at least a 1/4 inch thick with dog hair and dust. I used a brass brush and simply green. I can't believe the difference it made. My furnace use to make a kinds of noises when it started up now its half way quiet. I have to say that it's the original furnace put in in 82

[JeremyCampbell]

Hope you get it all figured out with the help of these guys.

BUT...If you do decide to hire it out, call Advance Heating.There from our area.

I been painting and repairing drywall at the owners house this week.Tell him I sent you.Who knows?

You "Might" get a price break.