Reply to Thread

Originally Posted by julia2990

Which epoxy coating did you use? Did it resolve the problem long-term? Dealing with this now and don’t want to replace DSS with CCS (coated coil syndrome) like mentioned earlier in this thread.

Old Engineer hasn't been on this forum for over 3 years, so don't expect a response.

We also would rather you start a new thread with your question, than bring back to life an old thread.

If you want some answers to this question, please start a thread the in only forum where homeowners can ask questions - AOP residential HVAC forum.

Which epoxy coating did you use? Did it resolve the problem long-term? Dealing with this now and don’t want to replace DSS with CCS (coated coil syndrome) like mentioned earlier in this thread.

Originally Posted by old_engineer

No it isn't funny. Going through it now with our newer Trane heat pump. It is the first unit in the 20 years we have lived in our house to have the problem. Reading here has helped get a better idea of potential solutions so thought I'd add our experience.

Our SSD showed up with the beginning of last year's heating season after the first full summer of cooling. I went through the coil cleaning which reduced the odor for a while. The odor during defrost also decreased as out humidity dropped through the winter. It came roaring back when we fired up cooling mode for the first time this spring. I called a local contractor to discuss alternatives and costs. Due to a sale they were having I opted to try a cold plasma generator rather than replace the coil with an epoxy coated one. According to the manufacturer it kills bacteria and viruses and would resolve SDD odors. After having it installed and running 24/7 with the blower for a week we were still getting the smell with no noticeable decrease. I contacted the manufacturer who informed me it would take at least 60 days for ionization to disinfect the coil and even after that I would always need to run the blower to ensure it stayed away. I didn't consider this acceptable and fortunately the local contractor was willing to accept a return and credit the amount towards the labor of an epoxy coil replacement. In hindsight I wish I had done the coil first as it resolved the problem immediately. Only time and a few cooling/heating seasons will tell if will be a long term fix but my feeling right now is it is.

... .--. .- --

..

.

Originally Posted by Beccasa

It seems it has gone on for 15 years off an on so it didn't quite seem like reviving but I am brand new so may not understand this completely. What would you suggest then? Start a new thread with the same topic?

Yes start a new thread that way we can I'll be on the same page. It takes a little bit to get used to forums and each one's a little different but on this one it's best to start your own thread.
When you revive an old thread like this a lot of the old posters have not updated their emails and they may no longer be following this forum so it causes problems for the former administrator because of the invalid emails.

Not understanding

Originally Posted by R600a

It's not considered polite to revive old threads. It causes issues for the guys running the site.

It seems it has gone on for 15 years off an on so it didn't quite seem like reviving but I am brand new so may not understand this completely. What would you suggest then? Start a new thread with the same topic?

Originally Posted by Beccasa

New member here and this has been an education.

Question: I have a brand new (six months) Daikin Fix variable speed Heat Pump - pretty top of the line. HVAC would never cool properly last summer and now when I turned the heat on there is DSS every time it down ramps. Severe enough I am now back on asthma medication. Like others never had this problem before with other heat/AC combos. We have tried cleaning it and now have a UV light installed. High quality filter.

Daikin is replacing it with a unit of my choice as it is still under warranty, so I am fortunate there. But the question is what should my choice be? Reading all 12 pages of this forum it seems that it's the tight coils that are the problem. Is it possible to get one of a low enough efficiency that there are loose coils? (what a setback that would be but can't keep having asthma attacks) Should I go back to a gas furnace? I have a good contractor - working with me to solve this. He suggested an AC Pro two-stage - getting rid of the variable which I agree with. And they have a coil that is copper aluminum. But he admits he is a little flummoxed.

Any advice on what you would install and why?

It's not considered polite to revive old threads. It causes issues for the guys running the site.

New member here and this has been an education.

Question: I have a brand new (six months) Daikin Fix variable speed Heat Pump - pretty top of the line. HVAC would never cool properly last summer and now when I turned the heat on there is DSS every time it down ramps. Severe enough I am now back on asthma medication. Like others never had this problem before with other heat/AC combos. We have tried cleaning it and now have a UV light installed. High quality filter.

Daikin is replacing it with a unit of my choice as it is still under warranty, so I am fortunate there. But the question is what should my choice be? Reading all 12 pages of this forum it seems that it's the tight coils that are the problem. Is it possible to get one of a low enough efficiency that there are loose coils? (what a setback that would be but can't keep having asthma attacks) Should I go back to a gas furnace? I have a good contractor - working with me to solve this. He suggested an AC Pro two-stage - getting rid of the variable which I agree with. And they have a coil that is copper aluminum. But he admits he is a little flummoxed.

Any advice on what you would install and why?

Originally Posted by BBeerme

Until you've experienced it.

No it isn't funny. Going through it now with our newer Trane heat pump. It is the first unit in the 20 years we have lived in our house to have the problem. Reading here has helped get a better idea of potential solutions so thought I'd add our experience.

Our SSD showed up with the beginning of last year's heating season after the first full summer of cooling. I went through the coil cleaning which reduced the odor for a while. The odor during defrost also decreased as out humidity dropped through the winter. It came roaring back when we fired up cooling mode for the first time this spring. I called a local contractor to discuss alternatives and costs. Due to a sale they were having I opted to try a cold plasma generator rather than replace the coil with an epoxy coated one. According to the manufacturer it kills bacteria and viruses and would resolve SDD odors. After having it installed and running 24/7 with the blower for a week we were still getting the smell with no noticeable decrease. I contacted the manufacturer who informed me it would take at least 60 days for ionization to disinfect the coil and even after that I would always need to run the blower to ensure it stayed away. I didn't consider this acceptable and fortunately the local contractor was willing to accept a return and credit the amount towards the labor of an epoxy coil replacement. In hindsight I wish I had done the coil first as it resolved the problem immediately. Only time and a few cooling/heating seasons will tell if will be a long term fix but my feeling right now is it is.

Until you've experienced it.

Originally Posted by reymitchel

The name of theme title is really funny

The name of theme title is really funny

Originally Posted by txjr

I have been fighting DSS in one of my 2 units. They are right next to each other in the attic. I've tried UV, Air scrubber, coil cleaning. I had a new coil coated from AME technicoat..I had the AC off for about 2 weeks while the gas furnace kicked on..temp's went up and I switched to the AC, same smell, just NOT as strong. I went from a slab coil to an A as well hoping the gas furnace would kill anything on the coil. Everyone is perplexed.

Long shot, but what technicoat coating did you go with?

I talked to them and they have 10-2 and AA varieties of technicoat.

AA is water based while 10-2 is polymer based. Curious on smells / gas off on the technicoated coils as well and if AA is as effective as the 10-2 version.

Thanks

The foul kind of smell always comes from humid pleated filters....... you have changed your coils but what about filters try other kind of filters because these foul air will cause health problems.

Originally Posted by BBeerme

Probably the sweat from the tenants. What race are they? Recent to the US of A? What are they eating/cooking/food they are buying?

Do they keep the windows and doors closed to save energy?

Most times I have "seen DDS", it wasn't DDS. Just sayin'.

It is DSS and confirmed by 2 hvac companies. I doubt it is the food we are cooking as the other unit does not have the problem. We're your typical American family..not cooking Indian food, but burgers, steak and chicken.

Probably the sweat from the tenants. What race are they? Recent to the US of A? What are they eating/cooking/food they are buying?

Do they keep the windows and doors closed to save energy?

Most times I have "seen DDS", it wasn't DDS. Just sayin'.

Originally Posted by txjr

I have been fighting DSS in one of my 2 units. They are right next to each other in the attic. I've tried UV, Air scrubber, coil cleaning. I had a new coil coated from AME technicoat..I had the AC off for about 2 weeks while the gas furnace kicked on..temp's went up and I switched to the AC, same smell, just NOT as strong. I went from a slab coil to an A as well hoping the gas furnace would kill anything on the coil. Everyone is perplexed.

I have been fighting DSS in one of my 2 units. They are right next to each other in the attic. I've tried UV, Air scrubber, coil cleaning. I had a new coil coated from AME technicoat..I had the AC off for about 2 weeks while the gas furnace kicked on..temp's went up and I switched to the AC, same smell, just NOT as strong. I went from a slab coil to an A as well hoping the gas furnace would kill anything on the coil. Everyone is perplexed.

Most likely the unit is starving for return air! Which would mean the return air sizing is probably improperly sized.

At 2hotintexas, you posted about a plastic smell in a previous post that is closed and I cannot post too. So I figured I would contact you through this post. We have the same issue in our house. A brand new ac and ductwork with only some vents smelling like plastic. Did you ever figure out what is was?

Dirty Sock Syndrome smell and Salt Corrosion

Little late on the draw but may help if you still have the problem (it is a plaguing one) or someone else because it's so simple... AME Technicoat. coating + zero smell and you save money because units don't corrode....especially on bigger and/or around salt water...thousands in savings. Done and done.