How to Clean Coils in an Air Handler

Follow your air handler user manual maintenance guidelines to determine what type of cleaning solution to purchase. If the user manual does not recommend a specific cleaner, go to your local large hardware store and purchase a general HVAC or air conditioning cleaning solution. Purchase a cleaner that contains antimicrobial ingredients that kill bacteria and fungi that could live in your air handler.

Turn off the electricity to the air handler unit and any units that may be near it. Cover any items that you do not want to get wet with a drop cloth.

Prepare your cleaning solution. Follow the instructions on the container. It may call for you to mix it in water in a bucket or to apply it to the coils with a garden sprayer that attaches to the hose.

Slide the coils out of the unit or remove the unit's cover if the instructions call for it. Put on gardening gloves and remove any debris with your hands. Be careful, since some of the interior edges may be sharp.

Spray the coils with your hose. Apply the cleaning solution. Depending upon the unit's instructions, you may do this with a scrub brush or a garden sprayer attached to the hose.

Let the unit dry. Reassemble the unit and plug it back in to its electrical source.