AC duct odor
 

We have a musty, dank, heavy odor coming from all AC vents. The patio villa is less than 4 years old and is kept immaculate. We have UV lights above and below the air handler and an electrostatic permanent filter that is cleaned monthly. The AC works perfectly and everything visible is clean, but the odor is bad and actually burns the throat and eyes. Who do you recommend for checking the ductwork? We need a pro , not some rookie kid to diagnose the problem. Thanks in advance.

“ For lamps that are solely used to keep bacterial and mold growth from HVAC coils and blowers, you can use these lamps for up to 18,000 hours or two years.”

Try taking out your filter, cranking up the A/C, and spraying a can of Lysol into the filter intake. When done, put in a new filter.

Moisture is standing somewhere.

It's the HVAC near the laundry?

If so I'd have someone open up the drywall and look for a hairline crack in a waterline.

Do you use the dehumidify setting on your thermostat? I would check the humidity level in your house. Also, the HVAC unit in the garage should have a flow switch that monitors water accumulation in the HVAC air handler, if this gets high, it shuts off the AC, if it is working correctly.

I would look in bottom of A coil see if more than usual standing water. Water has to drain out of A-coil down and outside by the outside unit. Do you see water dripping out the drain pipe by outside unit? Maybe the drain path plugged/blocked?

Should be tag saying who installed it? I would probably call Mums few A/C companies I trust around here. MUMs has always been straight with me.

IMO unless you have humidifier in duct works I doubt it ducts but inside the air handler unit some where which IMO points to A coil which has to drain condensation outside through drain pipes?

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You might have a dead animal in the duck works. Someone should look at the ducks in the attic to see if their is any damage. A company that can inspect all the ducks with a video camera might be needed.

Thanks for the replies
 

Tried today: Removed cover plate for air handler, sprayed coils( Looked clean to start with) Collection tray was clean, Poured some water in the collection tray and it ran free and clear to outside drain, also poured a few quarts of hot water and vinegar down the drain tee and it ran strongly to the outside. Removed permanent electrostatic air filter which was clean. Felt down inside the air return box, it was dry, no leaks. Both UV lights working. Sprayed the air filter and return air box and all reachable surfaces with some odor killer suggested by Lowes plumbing associate. I climbed up a step ladder and peered back through the attic (80 year old man here) Ductwork looked ok but can't get up to see the back of the house. I guess the suggestion of a visual duct inspection is necessary. Any suggestions on a company to use?

You buy your own camera for less than $30 on Amazon.

Amazon.com

I would say you have done what you can to save money by checking the obvious so I would now call an HVAC person and ask their opinion. If you just do duct cleaning and that is not it then you just threw your money away. A reputable HVAC company should be able to diagnose it.

If you have flexible ducts, I would not do duct cleaning. It can puncture the ducts, and it probably won't solve an odor problem.

ServePro...

The previous owners of our house had two large dogs, which unfortunately, I have allergies to. We had them come to our home and do a deep clean of the house (even the refrigerator vent was covered with dog hair). They also cleaned the ductwork. No punctures, and they sprayed the vents with the best smelling disinfectant I ever smelled! Zero allergy problems afterwards and I couldn't be happier with their work.

I agree with an earlier post...it’s possible you have a carcass decomposing in the ducts. Musty is more typical of what’s been stated already but the ‘burning of throat and eyes’ sounds more that than anything mechanical. Maybe you can post a follow up. Good luck

YOU HAVE MOLD IN YOUR AIR HANDLER . The Evaporator and Tray is the breeding area.... Call a Reputable AC outfit to Clean it for you! They see it all the time in FLA. (Vacant sitting houses) former HVAC Tech