Home AC Question

[Gordon Claunch]

I need some help , We just bought a new house, in the hallway where the Air conditioning return is located, you can look up and there is a red light on the drop down door.
I believe this is some sort of electronic filter system, it sounds like a damn bug zapper every now and then, I found very little on the web, but I did find mention of it.
I just want to make sure this is normal, have any of you ever seen something like this? It is different from anything I have ever had before.

Thanks,

Gordon

[427 S/O]

Sounds like an electrostatic filter, a friend who is an HVAC installer mentioned this when it was first introduced a few years ago. It's suppose to help folks with allergies and eliminate dust?.

[trularin]

Electrostatic or ionizer.

This should be inline with the air flow and will make a nice difference inside your house.

[Roscoe]

Yeah, it's one of those. If it is zapping it means it should be cleaned. Be careful because many of them have delicate wires (some may be broken). You clean it with hot water and mild detergent. Best if you can get it in the dishwasher.

Roscoe

[4RE KLR]

Yep, and it is ready for a cleaning. If you have not done this before i would call an A/C company and watch them do it. Then you will know what to do from then on. It should be cleaned every six months at worst.

If you do not clean it eventually it will buzz all the time and you will not be able to turn it off at all unless you turn the system off. The buzz is there to tell you there is a problem. If you don't clean it and the dust particles get to the coil it is a major cleaning and it will be expensive $$$$$$$$. The coil will have to come out and go out in the yard for a good bath.

This is a sign that the filter has not been changed as it is supposed to. Get a three month filter and change them every month. Not every three months. They are just better filters. The one month filters do not filter $hit out of the air. They should be outlawed.

Personally, if you could have the A/C company put in a Honeywell or AprilAir 12 month filter. You only have to change these every 12 months and there will be NO DUST in your house. The filters cost about $45.00 - $50.00 and they are about 5" thick. They are worth every nickle.

The Electrostatic filter you have is a good one if it is working properly. They are usually put in homes where there is a smoker and the air needs to be purified. That is why they need to be cleaned so often. Believe me if there has been a smoker in the house you will not want to be the one to clean this monster. Take my word on that!!!

[Gordon Claunch]

I will be giving it a good cleaning, my understanding is it has a pre-filter that you hose off and the grids can go in the dishwasher.

I had the 5" Honeywells at my house in Houston, loved those.


Gordon