Re: Need to clean AC drip pan

[Guest guest]

P.S. I could let AC pan dry out and wipe it down but I assume slime extends

underneath coils, so that's why I am considering enzyme cleaner to 'eat'

biomass'. I don't think vinegar will penetrate the film/slime. Thanks Dr

Thrasher for clarifying possible contaminants.

Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning? I'm considering Nature's Miracle

because I already have it for pet stains. It will also take care of vomit and

other biological stains.

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php

>

> Its hard to believe but my only two year old AC coil drip pan has the feeling

of a fine slime on the bottom.

[Guest guest]

I have not been following this thread, so forgive me if this has already been

addressed. Have you considered installation of UVC bulbs above the coil? I

recommend a wavelenght around 350, which has germicidal properties, but produces

little to no ozone.

Connie Morbach, M.S., CHMM, CIE

cleanlinest.com

>

> P.S. I could let AC pan dry out and wipe it down but I assume slime extends

underneath coils, so that's why I am considering enzyme cleaner to 'eat'

biomass'. I don't think vinegar will penetrate the film/slime. Thanks Dr

Thrasher for clarifying possible contaminants.

Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning? I'm considering Nature's Miracle

because I already have it for pet stains. It will also take care of vomit and

other biological stains.

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php

[Guest guest]

Thanks Connie. I bought a UV light for about 400.00 to put in AC coil box

before I joined this group. It was in my old AC box and now it was installed in

this one with new bulb. The AC coils are fine but the pan has slimy film on it.

I was surprised to see it holding water since I run the HVAC fan all the time to

keep the pan dried out. I paid so much for the top of line AC. Sometimes I

think the AC industry is trying to kill us. How hard could it be to make a " pan

that drains " for Pete Sake!! This is not stem cell research or curing cancer.

> >

> > P.S. I could let AC pan dry out and wipe it down but I assume slime extends

underneath coils, so that's why I am considering enzyme cleaner to 'eat'

biomass'. I don't think vinegar will penetrate the film/slime.

[Guest guest]

P.S. I went to hotel I stayed at while working on my house to check out room

rates bec I'm not sure of health of my house in August and Sept but the hotels

still have AC units that drain RIGHT ON THE FLOOR! Owned by Marriott. I did

okay there but had a bad rash and found AC dirty so asked them to clean out AC

which they did and mentioned dampness on carpet underneath unit so they put it

up on wood supports to keep it tilted right. Otherwise hotel seemed pristine.

I talked to them again this year and my room with AC on stilts is not available,

already taken for extended period, but looked at other rooms. They showed me

some rooms with new, upgraded AC that fit into a sleeve and drain hole fits into

a drain line so it won't leak on carpet, so they are trying but gave me keys to

some rooms to check out and they all had damp carpet under AC, even the rooms

with the new AC. I took a room at another hotel the next summer which had the

AC also drain right onto floor, but that hotel started to smell moldy as AC

season started up so I didn't stay long. So far I have not seen any AC that did

not grow mold, except for the one I have now but looks like it is headed in that

direction. At least it has taken a couple years rather than a couple weeks or

months like most machines.

> >

> > I have not been following this thread, so forgive me if this has already

been addressed. Have you considered installation of UVC bulbs above the coil? I

recommend a wavelenght around 350, which has germicidal properties, but produces

little to no ozone.

> >

> > Connie Morbach, M.S., CHMM, CIE

> > cleanlinest.com

[Guest guest]

Barb, if the drip pan surface is smooth (not rusted or pitted) then

any thing with cleans the surface is great. If it is rusted or pitted

then the irregular surfaces need work. There are products which

profesisonals use to restore the surfaces but you must be aware

of possible chemical outgassing.

Connie, UV can help prevent new growth if there are sufficient

bulbs of great enough intensity shining onto the surface. Placing

them above the coil means the coils will block the UV from hitting

the drip pan. It will also mean the UV won't be shining directly

onto the bottom of the A-frame coil which is where most of the

debris and mold growth occurs. So placement of the bulbs is also

key to what is needed.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

I have not been following this thread, so forgive me if this has already been

addressed. Have you considered installation of UVC bulbs above the coil? I

recommend a wavelenght around 350, which has germicidal properties, but produces

little to no ozone.

Connie Morbach, M.S., CHMM, CIE

cleanlinest.com

>

> P.S. I could let AC pan dry out and wipe it down but I assume slime extends

underneath coils, so that's why I am considering enzyme cleaner to 'eat'

biomass'. I don't think vinegar will penetrate the film/slime. Thanks Dr

Thrasher for clarifying possible contaminants. Does anyone have any suggestions

for cleaning? I'm considering Nature's Miracle because I already have it for pet

stains. It will also take care of vomit and other biological stains.

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php

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[Guest guest]

Thanks Carl. I'm not chemically sensitive and could stay out of house for

awhile. Do you think I should have a professional clean the drain pan or my

HVAC guy? I've kept the system so clean. I even have filters over the cold air

returns. I just can't understand why they can't make them to drain. I didn't

buy a cheap one. I bought what sounded like the best one. I will write Lennox

about this. I wanted to write them when I saw it holding water but since it was

staying clean and I have a long to do list I let it go but now I see slime is

building! Thanks

>

> Barb, if the drip pan surface is smooth (not rusted or pitted) then

> any thing with cleans the surface is great. If it is rusted or pitted

> then the irregular surfaces need work. There are products which

> profesisonals use to restore the surfaces but you must be aware

> of possible chemical outgassing.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I assume that you have checked the obvious, such as making sure the drain pan is

properly slanted to allow for flow to the opening, the drain opening on the pan

is not partially blocked with debris or biofilm,or the pvc drain line is not

partially plugged with biofilm.

Connie Morbach

>

> Thanks Connie. I bought a UV light for about 400.00 to put in AC coil box

before I joined this group. It was in my old AC box and now it was installed in

this one with new bulb. The AC coils are fine but the pan has slimy film on it.

I was surprised to see it holding water since I run the HVAC fan all the time to

keep the pan dried out. I paid so much for the top of line AC. Sometimes I

think the AC industry is trying to kill us. How hard could it be to make a " pan

that drains " for Pete Sake!! This is not stem cell research or curing cancer.

assume slime extends underneath coils, so that's why I am considering enzyme

cleaner to 'eat' biomass'. I don't think vinegar will penetrate the film/slime.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Connie. I noticed it holding water and felt the slime when serviceman

was here for it. He thought it looked really good. Their standards are really

low. They think nothing of slime or mold in AC. They say, it's just dirt.

They are all like that, won't hurt you, etc. I took a level to it and it is

level. Within weeks of newly being put in, I smelled mildew, saw water wasn't

draining well and so decided to set AC for fan on all the time but new thing is

slime developing. Maybe I will pour some vinegar down drain line just to see if

improves drainage some. If that doesn't work, I'll try the enzyme liquid.

Actually only used level in one direction. Maybe I'll check level in other

direction too but I'm not sure what I could do about that now. I asked at time

it was put in and they assured me it was level. Should have taken a level to it

myself. Maybe I should have put it in myself.

>

> I assume that you have checked the obvious, such as making sure the drain pan

is properly slanted to allow for flow to the opening, the drain opening on the

pan is not partially blocked with debris or biofilm,or the pvc drain line is not

partially plugged with biofilm.

>

> Connie Morbach

>

>