Anyone familiar with dirty sock syndrome? I had a brand new Carrier system installed in 2014. Ran great until the first time I turned on the A/C this Spring and a weird, sour smell emitted from my vents. Googled this and learned of "Dirty Sock Syndrome". Called my HVAC tech and he said there isn't much I can do other than wait for smell to go away in 2-3 weeks after the system has been continuously running like normal.
I'm pretty pissed to say the least and I was wondering if anyone has experience with this?
From what I gather its becoming much more common since most manufacturers use aluminum coils exclusively now.

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Posted by Rouge

Floston Paradise

Member since Oct 2004

138846 posts

Posted on 4/5/16 at 11:40 am to SirSaintly

bleach down the PVC pipe

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Posted by Spilled Milk

Member since Mar 2015

1075 posts

Posted on 4/5/16 at 11:54 am to SirSaintly

Did you check your capacitor? Also, your drip pan might be full.

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Posted by sleepytime

Member since Feb 2014

3934 posts

Posted on 4/5/16 at 11:59 am to SirSaintly

The old copper coils are antimicrobial, which prevented this. There really isn't anything you can do other than have someone clean your evap coils.

This post was edited on 4/5/16 at 11:59 am

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Posted by SirSaintly

Uptown, New Orleans

Member since Feb 2013

3187 posts

Posted on 4/5/16 at 12:00 pm to Rouge

quote:
bleach down the PVC pipe

First thing I did. Apparently Dirty Sock Syndrome is bacteria on the coils. No idea how it got there as most people online dont seem to know why some systems get it and others don't.

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Posted by soccerfüt

Location: A Series of Tubes

Member since May 2013

76155 posts

Posted on 4/5/16 at 12:04 pm to SirSaintly

quote:
Anyone familiar with dirty sock syndrome?

Rusty Trombone syndrome reinforces the axiom: "Tis better to give than to receive."

Not that I first-hand know, just thinking out loud.

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Posted by SirSaintly

Uptown, New Orleans

Member since Feb 2013

3187 posts

Posted on 4/5/16 at 12:07 pm to sleepytime

quote:
The old copper coils are antimicrobial, which prevented this. There really isn't anything you can do other than have someone clean your evap coils.

My HVAC guy said this, but he also said even with coil cleaning, it will come back every year.
He said his personal system had it & he tried everything, cleaning coils, UV light installed in system, etc and nothing worked. He did say I could send my coils off to be coated with something that would prevent this, but that it costs $$$$. He had his done under warranty about 4 yrs ago, but he said he had to fight them tooth & nail to get it done. He said they won't warranty against it anymore as it's becoming more & more common. Guess I'm fricked.

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