Quote:
Originally Posted by Labanz
Nice to read all of the comments everyone has posted on this subject. As an Air Conditioning contractor I want to first state that maintenance on your system only needs to be done once a year if the system is completely cleaned and checked properly. It usually takes me 2 hours to complete. For those that do not do maintenance, if you have an air handler with heat pump if you were to see what has accumulated inside your air handler you would probably change your mind.
As for the drain line cleaning, a cup of bleach down the line and 1/2 hour later followed in a 1/2 or 1 gallon with hot (not boiling) water was what I recommended for almost 40 years. Now, dur to environmental concerns we have changed to vinegar. I recommended to do every time the filter is changed. Here in the villages with the large media filters, it’s normal for every 3 to 6 months.
When I do a maintenance cleaning for my customers I also add a safe cleaner to the line and at the end of the service I pressurize the drain with nitrogen and blow out. I then add a gallon of water to the line.
For the rest of you doing something else, at least you are doing something to help keep it flowing.
Techs will many times say and do something they feel is better than what their companies have told them. Just realize it’s their opinion and not the companies recommendation.
I suggest you get involved and watch what you tech does while he is at your house. Be sure he is taking steps to properly clean the check that drain line to prevent water damage or the ac to stop.
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Thanks for your insight. I agree that it should take about 2 hours. On my Carrier unit, in order to access and thoroughly clean the air handler and the evaporator coil, you would need to remove about a dozen screws, two metal panels, and several strips of HVAC silver tape that seal the seams to be airtight. After cleaning, you would need to replace the panels and reseal the unit with new tape. Some HVAC technicians may do that work, but I don't think it is typical for them to disassemble the unit and clean it. If you are paying someone to do it, I would suggest that you take a photo of your unit before the technician comes, so the you can verify if he actually removed the panels and re-taped the unit. Or, watch him take the unit apart. But, without taking the unit apart, the only thing he could do would be to remove the filter and spray a foam cleaner on the underside of the evaporator coil. He could not access the fan unit.