ReplyDescribe the smell.
Regular Guest
I have a heat pump with the blower in the attic. Recently the weather has been such that the unit will be in the heating mode during the night and the cooling mode during the day. I have noticed that the air coming out of the vents stinks when in cooling mode, but not heating mode. I assume the stink is because the trap is dried out and gungy air is being sucked in through the trap. Why would this not happen, or why would it not be noticeable, while in the heating mode?
Professional Member
Describe the smell.
Regular Guest
I'll try.Originally Posted by BigJon3475
It is not as putrid as the rotting rat I found in the crawl space last week. I would say it is musty with just a hint of sweetness.
Regular Guest
Refrigerant leak? R410?
Professional Member
dirty sock syndrome.
Regular Guest
It is R410a. Does it have a smell that might be what I described?
Professional Member
No you wouldnt be smelling the refrigerant.
Professional Member
If it's got a sweet smell only in cooling mode are you sure there is not a smelly filter attachment or something stuck to the coil you would only smell when it gets wet. Are your filters getting replaced also?
Professional Member
its dirty sock syndrome as previously stated
Professional Member*
Here's some information on dirty sock syndrome incase you are unaware of what is being discussed Marka: http://www.hannabery.com/dirtysock.shtml
At this point I'd suggest calling a contractor to check to see if you have this issue and go about treatment.
Professional Member
Dirty sock syndrome is usually smelled in heating mode. His explination explains it's happening in cooling mode.
Still seem like dirty sock syndrome?
Professional Member*
How about it's stinking shoe syndrom?
My "guess" is that what's happening is that the coil and/or the drain pan is dirty.
You wet it up and get the "gunk" all slimy during the day during ac mode then dry it out at night in heating mode.
Next day you start wetting down whatever is there again and for whatever reason it's giving off the smell you're experiencing.
No matter what it is....... a smell from your ductwork needs to be addressed by cleaning and possibly some form of other remediation. In some instances smells come from molds that are not healthy for the occupants for the home.
Use the biggest hammer you like, pounding a square peg into a round hole does not equal a proper fit.
Regular Guest
Thank you for all the replies, especially the link explaining "dirty sock syndrome". I believe I will contact my HVAC service company (also installed the system) to see if one of those UV devices would be helpful.
Professional Member*
A UV lamp might not even be necessary to fix this issue, but a contractor onsite should be able to determine that. Good luck.
Professional Member
Bingo both are right clean coil and treat coil,Smell gone.Happy customer.
Regular Guest
dirty something, when was the last time the unit was serviced? Clean coils are happy coils, makes sense to me
Regular Guest
I have a service agreement with my HVAC co. - they last came in June (supposed to include cleaning the coils). Should be back next month.
Professional Member*
It has been in the cooling mode 100% of the times I have encountered it.
Very thoroughly cleaning the coil may get rid of it for a season, but it usually comes back. Replacing the coil with a coated coil is the only 100% positive way to do away with it permanently.
Professional Member
Thanks. I actually forgot to put the question marks behind my sentence since I personally haven't ever dealth with "dirty sock syndrome"
Professional Member*
And I should add "that I am aware of" to the end of the last line of my post.
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