get a fin comb and some DSS coil cleaner
I've had DSS problems as long as I can remember. Had a new Carrier 2 speed installed a little less than 2 years ago... still has strange odor, definitely from the coil. Decided to take some close-up pictures of the coil. Full of white residue of some sort (probably causing the DSS). Has a 5" Carrier Merv-10 filter. My guess is oxidation? Here's some pictures:
http://www.pbase.com/photoman/accoil
Anyway to clean it? Please let me know what you think.
[Edited by TConnors on 09-04-2005 at 07:13 PM]
get a fin comb and some DSS coil cleaner
clean then sanitize the coil
DSS can be totally eliminated be using a phoenolic coating on the evap coil ... have over 75 coated coils installed to correct and prevent DSS and to date not one call back ... research shows that DSS is a mold somewhere in your house structure and you will find it again when you put new coils in and it comes baxk ... coating seals out the white aluminum oxide formed by the inferior aluminum recycled from used coke cans ... that's the way it is ... buy a new coil get it coated and use an expansion valve and do not oversize the coil and you will again breathe ordorless air ... the DSS MOLD has not shown to be a health hazard nor has it been proven how to get it out of your house ... i have a large house and have DSS in one zone only ... that zone has a coated coil and the other 3 zones do not ...
You say: "i have a large house and have DSS in one zone only ... that zone has a coated coil and the other 3 zones do not ..." yet earlier in your reply you say coated coils is the only way to get rid of DSS. This seems to be contradictory.
You know anyone in Austin, TX that installs coated coils? If I give you the Carrier model, can you ship me one? I sure would like to be your 76th happy customer!
I USE A 2 STAGE COIL THAT will shift from low stage to give you more humidity in low and a better balance uverall. i will get the model numbers and then we look at the cost ... i assume you are on the new refrigerant.
i need your model of the furnace coil and condenser ... do you have an expansion valve now?
[Edited by airman1 on 10-07-2005 at 10:34 PM]
Mr. Connors, did you take those pics through a microscope?
BTW, I would listen to Airman1; he knows what he's doing.
WHY?
Good to see you David. I hope you are doing OK.
DSS is the odor you get from heat to cool changeovers ...if you dont have it dont worry about it.... it is in your house structure
[Edited by airman1 on 10-10-2005 at 05:26 PM]
Pictures taken with a digital camera, it's amazing what macro mode will do on stuff like this. Sometimes seeing things close up is just something you really don't want to see.
Now that the heat is on, all DSS seems to be gone. It seems to be only a wet/dry thing (kind of like dirty socks). I do believe that the cheap aluminum fin material has a lot to do with DSS.
For me and the other non HVAC folk,
What is DSS ?
Thank you.
There was a hint in my previous post... "Dirty Sock Sydrome", an odor that smells "odd" from bacteria build up on a coil, that is noticeable when coil is wet (or is just drying out, not sure)... or caused by aluminum oxide (corrosion of cheap fins made from cheap soda cans). No one seems to know for sure, but it happens mostly in heat pumps, and seemingly only with select manufacturers. Coil cleaning doesn't solve the problem.
cleaning does not help ...nor does a UV light .... nor does a spray ... the coil must be clened and properly coated by a company known for doing it right
you can get a coated coil from several places ...the dealer can usually provide one ... there is a company called technicoat near dallas and that would be your best bet to get a coated coil ... my coil is a single or 2 stage coil .... the 2 stage coil is designed to remove more humidity ... you would need to get ok by carrier that they will not void the warranty if you installed it ... i have had lennox amana and american standard approve it for us .. so it is just a procedure you have to do ... if you are interested let me know....