I have a central air system and also an air purification all as part of the same system.

The air is continuously being recirculated through the air filter system whether the air conditioner is running or not.

When the air conditioner is running, everything smells fine, but when the air conditioner is not running and just the air is being recirculated, I smell a musty odor when I walk into my closed house.

I have had the system cleaned, and the filter has also been recently changed. Does anyone have any idea why this would be occurring? Also - from what I understand, this could be unhealthy - - comments? What do I do???

As in most systems, your evaporator coil (this is the cooling part) is after these filters. The oder is moisture on your coil and condensate pan from condensate. You stated that you have had your ducts cleaned. Did they also clean the evap. coil. If not, you may have it cleaned, this may help. I would not trust this job to duct cleaner companies unless they have the training needed to work with these systems. I would have a trained, HVAC service person do it.

As this coil warms up durring off cycles, a type of mildew starts to grow and gives off this "musty' smell. When it is on, the cold coil slows down this growth and the condensate kind of "flushes" this away.

This oder will dispate as the coil dries out.

There are tablets that can be put in the condensate drain pan, but I have found that in most home installations, it is almost impossible for the home owner as no prevision were made to do this.

These tablets slowly relaese a "biocide" that will cut down on these growths.

Hope this has been of some help.

WOW

do you think this is something that they should have done when I had it serviced at the end of April? I have a service contract with the company that did the installation of my central air - so they are definitely knowledgeable in all areas of HVAC (or so they should be).

Anyway - - I had it serviced - cleaned, filters changed, etc. as part of my maintenance contract at the end of April - - they had to come back again at the beginning of this month cause water was everywhere and they said cause the drain needed to be cleaned (which they did for free this time cause it had just been done - supposedly I guess).

So - - do you think that this is something they would have done? When he was here I told him about the musty smell and he put some lemon chemical stuff in - - and the house smelled like lemon and chems, but next day it was back to musty.....

Remember that mildew? Well, along with that are several biologicals that grow in that water. Along with dirt, they block up condensate drains.

Cleaning that coil may or may not be inclued with their contract service. The fact that they had to come back because of a drain plugged tells me they did not do a good job with your "Spring Clean and Check" as we call it. You should not have plugged it up that quickly. It is not an easy job on most residential air cond. and is an extra. Read your contract to see if they have it listed there. If they don't say "Not Included" then they should be cleaning it.

We, my ex-company used a spray that you sprayed on, soak and let the condensate rinse away. But you need to get to both sides of the coil.

Now I must put in the usual clause here. I don't know how old your system is. I am not there to see your system or do I know the qualifications of your service person. I will tell you this, from what you are telling me, you should have the coil cleaned. This should be done about every five years in most cases. The fact that you have your system ALWAYS MOVING AIR, leads me to believe that you should have your cleaned a little more ofter.

Ask me if I clean mine every five years, NO. Being in the business, I do inspect mine once a year. When needed, I will do it my way.

If you would like a list of things that should be in you maintenance contract, just ask as a separate question.

Just a note for all who will read this. Most times, these clean and check are just a way to get at you furnace-air cond. to find out if they can sell you something. Not that they are not performing a good service but it is a "Lost leader" item in order to generate sales. In most cases, they will not sell you something you don't need.

[This message was edited by Walks On Water on 07-22-02 at 12:29 PM.]

is only 3 years old...