Slight Musty Odor

[opie30]

I live in a three-story townhome (middle unit) with walkout basement built in 1987 with about 750 sq. ft. per level. The basement was finished when the home was built, except for one room the original owners finished themselves. We purchased this home in 2001.

About two years ago we installed a new Trane heat pump with variable speed air handler. There are four registers in the basement, five on the main level, and six upstairs. Each level has a return. We run a dehumidifier year round, although it doesn't run as much in the winter (Northern Virginia).

When our new Trane system was installed, we were told we did not need a duct cleaning. Recently, after noticing a musty odor by a register near the entryway of the main level, we had a regular winter maintenance check on the system, and the tech said that nothing was wrong inside the system (but said we could try a duct cleaning).

We have not had a duct cleaning since we purchased the home three years ago, and we know the previous owner did not smoke (although she had a dog for a while). Should we pay $375 for a duct cleaning from our HVAC company? And should we pay an additional $95 for germacide treatment?

[Edited by opie30 on 01-11-2005 at 03:09 PM]

[d big 1]

If is was a musty smell in one vent it may be possible that the problem is only in that area. If a total duct cleaning were needed it would be in all the vents. It could be possible smell originates from a source close to the vent and not the vent itself. We recieved a call about a smell one time coming from the vent and a dead bird was found in the ceiling next to it so it was not the duct work. I have heard pro's and con's about duct cleaning. IAQ has bloomed anything from ozone generators to ultra-violet lights installed by the A/C coil. I live in one of the most humid place in America and it is hard to trace "the smell".
Things to consider about duct cleaning:

Is you ductwork insulated on the inside or out

Is it ductboard or metal.

We have had great success just simply using a good coil cleaner twice a year and pan pills.
The best way to see if your ductwork needs cleaning is pull the grill off and check it.

[opie30]

Thx for the response. I will keep on the lookout for dead birds! How did you find the bird in the ceiling?

I believe the ducts are metal and insulated on the outside. (One return duct is in the attic - big tube thing, although the return itself opens inside the house.)

The odor is primarily in the entry way and in the room where the air handler is in the basement.

Please excuse my ignornace, but what does the following statement mean: "IAQ has bloomed anything from ozone generators to ultra-violet lights installed by the A/C coil"?

[Edited by opie30 on 01-12-2005 at 11:36 AM]

[crab]

i think he means,,Indoor Air Quality,,,and how everything is made to make it "better".. But he also probally feels as I do,,that sometimes they try and cover up the problem rather than fix it..

[d big 1]

Sorry, indoor air quality has been a hot spot for the "sue-u-2-make-a-buck" group. There have been alot of new things added to central air units that are supposed to make life better. Some good, some bad, and some just for looks. An ozone generater is supposed to purify the air. There is an ultra violet light that can be installed over the coil to destroy bacteria and help eliminate smells. Companies are now making a fortune off the fears The main key to over all unit operation is find a very good HVAC company and have the unit serviced once or twice a year. If you do not see dirt build up then there probably is not a problem. Mankind has lived with dirt and mold for thousands of years and only recently has it been an epidemic (via 60 Minute-type reporters). Yes there are horror stories out there but they are few and far between. Your ductwork is probably the best way insulated by being wrapped on the outside because fibers cannot stick to the metal as well.
That is how we found the daed bird. Inspected and eliminated the dirty duct claim, checked the coil on the A/C and found it clean then opened the ceiling tile. Carpet is far worst on the indoor air quality than the ductwork.