Commercial service
Commercial Air Handler Cleaning in Atlanta
The air handler is the heart of a commercial HVAC system. Every cubic foot of air your building breathes passes through its filters, coil, drain pan and blower before it reaches the ductwork. If the unit is dirty, clean ducts will not stay clean for long, and moisture in the drain pan or insulation can feed microbial growth that spreads odor through the building.
Commercial Air Care cleans air handler units (AHUs) in mechanical rooms, penthouses and on rooftops across Metro Atlanta. We clean blowers, fan housings, coils, drain pans, plenums and internal insulation, and we document every section so your maintenance team knows exactly what was found and what was done.
Who needs air handler cleaning
- Office towers and multi-tenant buildings with central AHUs
- Hospitals, clinics and medical office buildings
- Schools and university buildings
- Hotels and conference centers
- Laboratories and controlled environments
- Buildings with musty odors when the system starts
Our process, step by step
Step 1
Inspect the unit
We open access doors and inspect filters, coil, drain pan, blower and insulation.
Step 2
Lockout and contain
The unit is locked out and the mechanical room protected.
Step 3
HEPA vacuum and brush
Plenums, blower wheels and housings are brushed and HEPA vacuumed.
Step 4
Coil and drain pan
The coil is cleaned and the drain pan and line are cleared and treated.
Step 5
Insulation review
Damaged or contaminated internal insulation is documented, with repair options.
Step 6
Restart and report
The unit is restarted and checked, and you receive photos of every section.
Standards we follow
ASHRAE 62.1
Air handler hygiene is central to acceptable indoor air quality.
IICRC
IICRC-certified technicians perform the work.
EPA
EPA-registered anti-microbial products where treatment is approved.
OSHA
Lockout/tagout and confined space controls.
How often it should be done
Air handlers should be inspected at every filter change and cleaned whenever buildup, moisture or growth is found — typically every 1–3 years, and always alongside a duct cleaning.
Documentation you receive
- Date-stamped before and after photos of every system section we open
- Written service report listing units, runs and components cleaned
- Notes on damaged, missing or inaccessible components found on site
- Certificate of service for insurance, fire marshal and audit files
Frequently asked questions
- Why clean the air handler if we clean the ducts?
- The air handler feeds the ducts. A dirty blower or coil recontaminates clean ductwork quickly.
- Can you clean rooftop air handlers?
- Yes. We clean AHUs in mechanical rooms, penthouses and on rooftops.
- What causes musty smells from the AHU?
- Usually standing water in the drain pan, a dirty coil or wet insulation. We find and document the cause.
- How long is the unit offline?
- Most units are back in service the same shift. Large units can be phased overnight.
- Do you replace insulation?
- We document damaged insulation and can provide repair or replacement options.
Service areas
Schedule a free site assessment
Commercial and industrial buildings across Metro Atlanta. After-hours crews available.