James River Air Conditioning Company
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James River Air Conditioning Company
If you smell something when your A/C first starts up and / or when your heat pump goes into defrost…From the Desk of Tom Pugh, Residential Service Manager
Dirty Sock Syndrome is a product of the environment. Where you live can have a lot to do with whether or not you will have Dirty Sock; it is not the equipment’s fault. That being said, we sometimes have clients experience Dirty Sock after installing a new unit. They’ll tell us that they never smelled it with the old unit; it’s just since the new unit was installed. They are correct!
The new evaporator coils are larger and run at a warmer temperature because of government mandates for higher SEER ratings. This 2-3° difference has opened up a new can of worms. It is estimated that up to 2% of all HVAC systems in North America have Dirty Sock Syndrome.
The cure is not always simple. One way to eliminate the problem is to coat the coil with a sealant that will prevent the microbiological growth from adhering to the coil. The sealant makes the coil slick. Another way is to install indoor air quality accessories, like a UV light or bipolar ionization system. These can come with a cost of $1,000-$2,000.
Bottom line: the bacteria / microbiological growth is a nuisance for the homeowner, but can be treated. Contact us today if you’re experiencing Dirty Sock Syndrome – we can help!
