Does my a/c evaporator press (coils) need to be cleaned?

Question

I went out to change our a/c filter over the weekend, and realized there had been a major a/c freezing up water leak. We live in FL, and haven't used the a/c in a few weeks because it finally got cold. All the water had dried, but now there is major black mildew. It happened since Christmas, when my husband was back in that corner of the garage putting away Christmas lights.
Anyway, I called an A/C repair guy. He looked at everything, says it all works fine, just very very dirty. (We haven't had it serviced in 5 years - big procrastinating mistake) Anyway he gave us an estimate to pressure wash outside unit to get the grime off, replace contactor, and remove and clean evoporator press/coils from the inside unit, total $650.
I'm just not sure about the last part, since you can't see them. That is the biggest cost (about $400). Can anyone advise me how to decide on this? Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, get it cleaned.

Most people do not clean/change their filters often enough. Monthly is not just a suggestion. A dirty filter causes the air to not flow through fast enough and dirt accumulates on the AC coils faster.

In some areas its a good idea to have the AC system and ducts professionally cleaned annually EVEN WITH monthly filter replacement.

The removal of the evaporator coils from the inside unit being recommended means he thinks they are SEVERELY clogged/coated with dirt. They do not perform that service unnecessarily EVER. Its a HUGE headache. They have to pump the system out (remove all refrigerant) then dismantle, then clean then reinstall the coils then leak test and pump down to a vacuum, replace any air that got in with N2, then put in fresh refrigerant.

Answer 2

DO NOT let anyone add freon to to your A/C until that evaporator coil is clean. Chances are good you would end up with an overcharged unit, very tough on the compressor and your electric bill. First you need to thaw and dry the coils by turning the A/C off and the fan on at the thermostat. This may take a couple hours or a half a day depending on the ice buildup. How to clean varies depending on the type of dirt, some turns to dust and you can brush and blow it out against the direction of airflow, or wash it out with a garden hose. Some is like 'dryer lint' and sometimes you can lift it off in one piece to reveal a clean coil, or use a hairbrush to gently roll the lint out. It can also be any combination of the two. In this case do the lint thing first then the dust thing. Save the coil cleaners to the pros, I only use it in restaurants and manufacturing plants with grease in the air. Now after cleaning the coil the evaporator still ices call the repairman. RScott

Answer 3

In order to remove the coiils and clean them, a licensed service person has to reclaim all of the refrigeration from the system (which can take up to two hours), take the unit apart, clean the coil, install the coil (which is welding), and put the refrigerant back into the unit. This can probaby take up to 4 hours to do. A contactor can run you $50~$100, depending on the pricing guide from the HVAC company. Sounds to me like he's going to be doing a lot of dirty work. He could be pricing it that high because of labor time. Ask what his labor rate is and how long he expects this to take. This might help with your decision.

Answer 4

Sounds like a rip off to me. Give the fins a spray with a quality spray cleaner, leave for a few minutes and spray a hose down over the fins like rain, not through. The only part that can get dirty is what you see from the outside, everything else is protected inside.
If everything works fine, why does it need a contactor? Sounds like he's looking for a cash injection. I don't know what size your A/C is, but you can buy a new one for that sort of money.

Answer 5

Yes, that dust, and dirt needs to be taken off those coils. Id assume you have an access panel on your unit to remove and get at them.

Go to Walmart and buy yourself a hand held steamer and clean those up yourself. Vacuum up the small amount of water with a shop vac and you will have beautiful clean coils. I have cleaned mine this way for over 10 years and it operates just fine.

Id say this job is worth no more than $50 to have someone do it.

Answer 6

you can hose down the outside unit. cut the power to it. there should be a quick disconnect by the unit on your house take the top off and cover the electrical as best you can. then hose it down. on the inside coil if you can get access to it use something like a radiator brush to clean the coils. if you don't see a lot of dust that is as much as i would do. you cannot pull the unit out unless you do what the navy man said. it would have to be real dirty for me to go to that expense.

Answer 7

Yes you can wash off the evaporator coils with water.Try cleaning the a/c yourself.Remove the a/c from its casing and cover the motor fan with plastic so it wont get wet.Brush off the grime with soap and water.Then hose it down with water.Let it dry for a couple of hours.Then you are all set.

Answer 8

I never heard of pressure washing od unit. usually they are sprayed with cleaner and hosed off.contactors turn on compressor maybe contacts are getting burnt,indoor coils usually are brushed off not removed. there should be an access plate or cover to see coils. id coils must be really dirty to freeze up.

Answer 9

if you have/can get a presser cleaner give it a clean if not just hose it out with all the presser you can get from your hose