Hello forum.. my 1st post.
I'm having the exact same issue with my International Comfort Air Handler (PAJ4436000) as was posted in another thread on the forum (Questions about UV light in Air Handler) but I can't respond to that thread so I started a new, sorry if that is against policy.
We recently purchased our home in Fla. and we are getting a slight odor when the AC kicks on, so I thought a service call was in order. The tech was very nice and knowledgeable, and when he opened the unit, the drain pan (side where the blower is located) appeared to have something obstructing the drain which was easily cleared, but still was partially functioning. There was however some type of gunk on the wires to the blower, I didn't get a closer look at the rest of the inside, he recommended a UV light (see attached estimate). As part of his maintenance, he cleaned one of the coils with some foaming material and looked at the 2nd coil (I think return side??) but he didn't really notice any dirt to warrant a cleaning. He also checked the vents, air filters and return ducts and all were fairly clean and they didn't give him any reason to think those were contributing to the problem.
View attachment 866165
So I have 4 initial questions...
1) If the UV light is harmful to the wiring why do so many recommend them?? on another forum a recommendation for an I-Wave R was suggested, its not UV but another technology, is there value in that or similarly snake oil?
2) I was under the impression that anything with bleach was caustic to the coils and should never be used. What type of product can I use to spray into the area so that I can effectively eliminate the gunk, wipe it out and clean it. In the other thread Billygoat22 made a comment about just hand wiping the unit to rid it of the gunk (in the other thread) so trying to find out what I should use.
3) Can I clean the pan of the unit with a hot water bleach solution as long as I keep it off of the coils?
4) As to the odor, would the foreign matter on the blower side be the cause of that?
Appreciate any input and insight from your expertise.
VB,
I'm having the exact same issue with my International Comfort Air Handler (PAJ4436000) as was posted in another thread on the forum (Questions about UV light in Air Handler) but I can't respond to that thread so I started a new, sorry if that is against policy.
We recently purchased our home in Fla. and we are getting a slight odor when the AC kicks on, so I thought a service call was in order. The tech was very nice and knowledgeable, and when he opened the unit, the drain pan (side where the blower is located) appeared to have something obstructing the drain which was easily cleared, but still was partially functioning. There was however some type of gunk on the wires to the blower, I didn't get a closer look at the rest of the inside, he recommended a UV light (see attached estimate). As part of his maintenance, he cleaned one of the coils with some foaming material and looked at the 2nd coil (I think return side??) but he didn't really notice any dirt to warrant a cleaning. He also checked the vents, air filters and return ducts and all were fairly clean and they didn't give him any reason to think those were contributing to the problem.
View attachment 866165
So I have 4 initial questions...
1) If the UV light is harmful to the wiring why do so many recommend them?? on another forum a recommendation for an I-Wave R was suggested, its not UV but another technology, is there value in that or similarly snake oil?
2) I was under the impression that anything with bleach was caustic to the coils and should never be used. What type of product can I use to spray into the area so that I can effectively eliminate the gunk, wipe it out and clean it. In the other thread Billygoat22 made a comment about just hand wiping the unit to rid it of the gunk (in the other thread) so trying to find out what I should use.
3) Can I clean the pan of the unit with a hot water bleach solution as long as I keep it off of the coils?
4) As to the odor, would the foreign matter on the blower side be the cause of that?
Appreciate any input and insight from your expertise.
VB,
