heat pump smell
deegw
10 years ago
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tigerdunes
10 years agogsciencechick
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Aux heat source to be stage1 heat and heat pump stage2.
Comments (3)Your friend's work around with the thermal switch sounds as if it was in lieu of a third stage on your thermostat. Honeywell makes a three stage thermostat (3 heat - 2 cool) The TH8110U that would do that for you. And there are others. A bit of an expense though, considering that what you have essentially accomplishes the same thing....See MoreBroken Heat Pump Liquid Return Line, Repair or Replace Heat Pump
Comments (2)I would (at least) go with flushing the lines out, adding a 2 way liquid drier and a suction drier. pull a micron vacume to 400, lock the system in the A/C mode and run it a week, then replace the liquid drier and remove the suction drier. Was the cut in the aluminum coil? A repair kit for that will be permanent. I don't know what you mean by damage to the "condensor"- that is the outdoor coil section. It is possible the system ran while it was raining (heat mode) and if a lot of moisture is suspected, checking the oil in the compressor would help make the desicion on which course to take. Many american standards have a 10 year warranty on the compressor and coil, so doing the above first would be my choice. If the unit needs replacing because of moisture contamination and it's that bad, the best route may be to replace the whole system for the long haul. Green oil and clumpy oil in the compressor or lines will indicate this extreme moisture contamination and installing filters driers won't work....See MoreSour smell from new heat pump
Comments (1)I wrote this response awhile back, can it be dirty socks syndrome? From information gathered over many years, most professionals agree the "Dirty Sock Syndrome" is caused by a bacteria that collects and grows on the indoor coils of heat pumps and air conditioners. Most customers describe the odor as a musky, dirty, locker room smell. The problem is similar to an odor that is blown out of a car air conditioner when the AC has not been used for a while. It is very important to properly identify the problem before any action can be taken, since many odor problems are incorrectly labeled as a dirty sock problem. Eliminate dirty drain pans holding water, drain lines connected to plumbing systems without adequate traps or dry traps, return air leaks in ductwork or chases, or dead animals in ductwork or near the living space. If the odor is present ALL the time, especially during heat, the problem is NOT a dirty sock syndrome complaint. Dirty sock complaints only smell when the indoor coil gets cool and the bacteria releases its odor into the air stream. The Dirty Sock Syndrome plagues 0.5 to 2 percent of heat pumps in the southern states, with Texas being on the lower side of the percentage. The syndrome is not brand specific, with all manufacturers acknowledging complaints. The problem itself is sporadic and limited to isolated households and is somehow related to the living style or products in the home. This can be proven as Trane and other manufacturers have documented changing out systems with new product and the complaint returns. After removing a "stinky" unit from a complaint house, the unit can be cleaned and installed elsewhere without a complaint surfacing. Changing the brand of equipment is met with a similar lack of success. Much effort and expense has been given by the industry to research and solve this syndrome. Once the problem has been properly identified, action can then be taken to resolve or reduce the complaint, starting with a thorough cleaning of the evaporator coil with a non-acid coil cleaner. Cleaning will bring the system back to normal and will usually prevent a complaint for the rest of the heating season. Some systems cleaned early in the season or those having more of a problem may have repeated problems during the same season, especially if the weather conditions force a system back and forth from heating to cooling. The majority of complaints are resolved with a thorough cleaning. If the coil cleaning does not resolve the complaint to a satisfactory level, the next suggested action would be to clean the coil again and apply a coating of Alathene II, a special spray designed to continuously protect coils from fouling caused by airborne contaminates. In addition, a UV light system at the coil may retard the bacteria from comming back. If seasonal cleanings or the application of Alathene II does not resolve the complaint, as a last resort, your coil may need to be replaced....See MoreMusty smell and dampness - Heat pump issue?
Comments (4)I think we solved the mystery! I did check the condensation pipe that comes out of the wall on the outside of the house and it was dripping. then I tested my cleaning lady who had been in the day before we arrived to ask if she noticed the smell. she is OCD about cleaning so I figured she would have noticed for sure. she said the house smelled fine, but added that she left. few bathroom rugs in the dryer when she left. so, we have had a few times when people shove the dryer around and the vent comes loose, and I figured. that's what happened and the moist air was leaking into the house. it just so happens that the dryer is just across the hall from the return air vent and I guess it sucked in that damp air and spread it around. things smell much better but still worried if the coils may have bacteria as a result....See Moreionized_gw
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