Even if your HVAC system doesn't freeze, it's still a good idea to check and clean the evaporator coils once or twice a year depending on how often you run the air conditioning in your home and whether or not you have pets.

Do not proceed with this guide if your coils are frozen over until the ice is allowed to completely melt away.

The first step with any HVAC system maintenance is to cut the power. I like to turn off the A/C at the thermostat, at the breaker switch on the air handler and at the home's main breaker box.

The tools you may need to clean the coils include a dusting tool such as Swiffer Duster, a wet/dry shop vacuum, paper towels, a can of compressed air, a foaming HVAC coil cleaner solution spray (optional), and a  plastic or wire brush (optional).

I had to remove two thumb screws to remove the air filter cover and then slide out the mesh screen air filter itself.

(If your air handler developed a water leak, check out my HVAC Air Handler Condensate Drain Pipe Unclogging & Cleaning Guide.)

After this cleaning, I purchased a can of coil cleaner for the next time.

In a pinch, you can also use very hot water in a spray bottle to help dislodge dust, debris and pet hair from your air handler's coils.

Do not use bleach or anything that may be corrosive to metal.

Some coil cleaning sprays claim to not require a rinse after use, but it's always a good idea to rinse off any cleaning solution with some water after use.

The most important thing when working with HVAC system coils is to be very gentle.

If you bend, crush, or damage the coils in any way, it may reduce the efficiency of the unit and negate the beneficial effects of the cleaning.

The key to not damaging the coils with the vacuum is to maintain control of the suction area and always keep it just barely off the delicate metal edges of the coils.

It helps to switch from the vacuum to blow air side of the wet/dry vacuum to attempt to dislodge any dust or hair that could not be sucked up.

I continued to repeat this cleaning process for almost an hour and sprayed down the coils with hot water in a home spray bottle to finish the job.

I plan on cleaning the evaporator coils again in a few months with the foaming cleaning spray and perhaps use a wire brush to gently comb out any hair or dust stuck in the coils.