Age of equipment,. 1999
Brand (Manufacturer)... Carrier Heat Pump
Location: Florida
Pan: Plastic

What does it do? Leaks water from plastic pan. Gets clogged with rust and algae?


August 2007 had a water leak (from an overflowing pan/clogged drain tube).

They came out and put chlorine/algae tablets in and sold me a three year maintenance contact. At the time we noticed the galvanized sides of the v shaped coil were rusting.


I put a rag on the place where it leaks and check it from time to time. So today June 2008, rag was wet & had rust stains. I notice a bad smell in the house... It has a little mold here and there. I cleaned the area outside unit with bleach and eucalyptus essential oil.

We put the wet and dry vac on the outside and got water from it.. but it came out slow.

The repairman, blew out line with compressed gas. Said it was clogged... and put in an elbow under the raised unit where I can pour bleach once a month.


To fix it ,ore permanently:

He suggested to clean the coil ends & use titanium paint $585... or to permanently fix... for a few years spend $2,500 for a UV light bulb, too. He said new coils cost $6,000.

I read UV light thing not recommended/needed a few years back.

Questions..

1) Repair suggestion? Scotch brite & Paint? Replace? Cost estimate for new coil... and is there any benefit I.e. system efficiency?

Does Bleach really do anything? Is that the best thing to use?

THANKS>>>

Just fix it cheap.

You will be needing a complete system sooner than later and you might as well save for the new Higher efficiency unit. 585.00 For paint. LOL I have a nice small bridge I can sell you cheap also.

Thanks.

Guess that means don't buy the CAPS Germicidal UV system... eh.. to control the Mucor racemosus mold.
:eek:

Guess that means don't buy the CAPS Germicidal UV system...eh..to control the Mucor racemosus mold

That is up to you. Do you have a problem with the mold??

Do you have a problem with the mold?? [/QUOTE]

I don't have a problem with the mold.
Just want to clean it for the smell/health benefit


They do suggest a cleaner unit will last longer,,

On the other hand, from what I read, the UV cleaners are not effective,, unless they are close to the coil...

Something is very fishy here.

Mold ---> moisture and to a lesser extent dark.

Remove moisture.. minimal or no mold

Moisture sources:
1. AC on in summer ---> created water
2. Clogged drain --> creates standing water, a health hazzard
3. Water trying to flow uphill
4. A poorly functioning humidier. Too much water.

Which is it?

UV lamps
They are expensive consumables. They need to be replaced often, Lime once a year.
They kill bacteria and viruses and mold.
What do you do with the dead carcases?
They should flush out the drain.

Paint
Most paint has titanium dioxide as a pigment. It's probably $5.00 paint and the rest labor. Maybe.
I might by marine two part epoxy paint. That stuff isn't cheap.

Rust
Iron + an electrolyte
Electrolyte is impure water

Somebody is missing the big picture.

FIND OUT WHERE THE STANDING WATER IS COMING FROM and fix that problem.

UV bulbs is just throwing money at the problem.