I am adding a UV light to my furnace coils. I decided to cut an access panel for easier cleaning and access to the UV light. I did not realize there were these triangular end covers for the A-frame of the furnace evaporator coils.

I don’t see them anywhere online when looking up diagrams of furnace coils. When I search online, it is also not clear if these covers are necessary. Are these covers beneficial? Or can I take one side off to fit the UV light underneath the A-frame?

  • Schwim Dandy@piefed.zipEnglish
    8·
    2 days ago

    It’s only necessary if you want your furnace to heat the air. Without it, air will simply take the path of least resistance and bypass the coils entirely.

    • loopy@lemmy.todayOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      Thank you, that makes sense. I did not realize the air all gets forced through like that.

  • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
    5·
    2 days ago

    It looks like without them air will go around the coils rather than through them, but I’d need to see more of the system to be sure.

    There’s about a 2" gap from the cover to the side of the duct - lots of air will simply bypass the coils.

    • loopy@lemmy.todayOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      My friend finally got back to me and said the same thing. I guess I learned something about furnace coils. I ended up making a compromise and just mounting the light into that end plate.

  • DishaweslemOride@lemmy.org
    3·
    2 days ago

    I’m no hvac expert, but if you change the way the air flows by removing it, those filters are going to be pointless.

  • faux2pas@discuss.online
    1·
    2 days ago

    I’m no expert, but I am handy.

    I called my HVAC technician before, and he told me to install mine in the chamber after that one. I have one before it splits.

    Call your HVAC technician and ask them for over the phone advice. My tech offered to install mine for free on my next service.

    I still did mine, and he checked my work and okayed it as “a gold star install.”

    Here is a picture after I installed it and before wiring it.

    Here is a picture after I installed it and still haven’t wired it yet.

    Edit: I don’t have a finished photo, but I will post one on request. I’m too lazy to take a photo and explain why if my wife asks.

    • loopy@lemmy.todayOP
      1·
      2 days ago

      What do you mean by “ before it splits?” I’m still learning a lot, but the general consensus of where to place the UV light was on the bottom side of the A-frame, because that’s where the moisture will accumulate and allow for bacteria and fungus growth.

      I ended up drilling a hole and mounting the light right into that end plate, and then drilling another hole in my new access panel for the cord, and putting duct putty around the hole.