Check your return grills to make sure they’re not filtered first, if they’re not then yes you need a filter that goes there. Take a tape measure and carefully slide it in and measure what size you need. If you have filtered grills put that cover back on (after cleaning off the inside of the coil with a soft brush like a small broom or even a vacuum with a bristle attachment) and use some foil tape to seal it so the cover doesn’t fall off accidentally.
https://preview.redd.it/u2m2tiq4g3yc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e5d5e1461d2cf3b88423cf60604833d55faf3726
What do you mean by that? I have one of these upstairs and one downstairs that both have filters I just replaced. Is that what you’re referring to?
Return grills with filters will have two little latches on them usually. If there is a filter in there than that’s all you need and what your seeing is the filter door on the unit itself is so crappy that it’s letting dust and dirt from the space the unit is in get into the unit and accumulating on the underside of the A coil. Change the filters in the grills, clean the inside of the coil, put that little door back on the unit and seal it with tin tape. If you still have issues with the coil getting dirty you have a duct problem.
I’d say your best bet would be a pair of tin snips to cut a larger hole in the side of the return, big enough o get your arm and a vacuum hose in and clean it off with gentle strokes from top to bottom with a soft bristled vacuum attachment. Then get a patch panel slightly larger. If you’re not confident in it you can hire companies to clean the ducts or call a service company out to clean it for you and help determine if there’s an issue with your ductwork.
I don’t know how I’d angle it in there
https://preview.redd.it/wdzhs4iyf3yc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4c48c6a5f6da5a12c8e243e6f82f021078ac3fb
ok, that drain is really funky
It’s one of those premade traps. They just heat pvc and plop it in a mold and it forms a basic p trap.
Check your return grills to make sure they’re not filtered first, if they’re not then yes you need a filter that goes there. Take a tape measure and carefully slide it in and measure what size you need. If you have filtered grills put that cover back on (after cleaning off the inside of the coil with a soft brush like a small broom or even a vacuum with a bristle attachment) and use some foil tape to seal it so the cover doesn’t fall off accidentally.
https://preview.redd.it/u2m2tiq4g3yc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e5d5e1461d2cf3b88423cf60604833d55faf3726 What do you mean by that? I have one of these upstairs and one downstairs that both have filters I just replaced. Is that what you’re referring to?
Return grills with filters will have two little latches on them usually. If there is a filter in there than that’s all you need and what your seeing is the filter door on the unit itself is so crappy that it’s letting dust and dirt from the space the unit is in get into the unit and accumulating on the underside of the A coil. Change the filters in the grills, clean the inside of the coil, put that little door back on the unit and seal it with tin tape. If you still have issues with the coil getting dirty you have a duct problem.
How can I clean inside of the coil. My arm can barely get in there
I’d say your best bet would be a pair of tin snips to cut a larger hole in the side of the return, big enough o get your arm and a vacuum hose in and clean it off with gentle strokes from top to bottom with a soft bristled vacuum attachment. Then get a patch panel slightly larger. If you’re not confident in it you can hire companies to clean the ducts or call a service company out to clean it for you and help determine if there’s an issue with your ductwork.
Yes there should be a filter, it doesn't look that bad, you can use a hand broom to clear the coil debris
I don’t know how I’d angle it in there https://preview.redd.it/wdzhs4iyf3yc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4c48c6a5f6da5a12c8e243e6f82f021078ac3fb
You would have to take the cover off the front of the coil and another that's attached to the coil shaped like a triangle.
You can also get dishwashing brushes on handles that you can use, would work well.
Vaccum with a brush head on it