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12-17-19, 03:31 PM | #1 |
Helper EcoRenovator
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Mildew smell from heat pump?
Hi all,
I've had a heat pump for the last 10 years, but lately I'm getting a bit of a mildew smell coming out of the ducts. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's definitely noticable when it does. Is this related in any way to the operation of the heat pump? Or is it mold/mildew growing in the ducts? I pulled the front panel and looked at the A coil and it's pretty clean. My first thought is to clean the coil with some of that foaming cleaner and see if that works. Anyone have thoughts on adding a UV light to the system? Do those really do much and are they worth it? A couple of us have semi-severe allergies, and one has asthma. Looking to make sure the air is as clean as possible. Thanks all! |
12-22-19, 10:19 PM | #2 | |
Helper EcoRenovator
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Quote:
If you give it a go, read up on how to use before you try it. They are dangerous. A good generator is about $50 on Amazon Last edited by gadget; 12-22-19 at 11:24 PM.. |
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12-23-19, 02:40 PM | #3 |
Helper EcoRenovator
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What about a UV light? Does anyone have one installed in their system?
I'd prefer not to go the ozone route. |
12-24-19, 10:08 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
The ballast electronics in these devices have no drop-out circuit to protect them from low voltage events. I tried two different brands with the same results. If you install UV lamps, make sure you get quality components. UV lamps do help resolve the odor problem as long as they are working. |
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12-24-19, 10:59 AM | #5 |
Helper EcoRenovator
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Good deal. Where in the line do you install the UV light? Above the evaporator coil or below? My system has the backup heat filaments above the coil, so I'd have to go above that.
Do you keep the UV lights on 24/7 or only when the system is running? |
12-24-19, 12:04 PM | #6 |
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Most A coils have a hole in the end of the frame to install the light inside the A. This is where I was told the light would be most effective. My system did not have an A coil so I put the bulb in a return air duct. Closer to the coil would have been better as that seems to be where the mildew forms.
The instructions that came with my lights said to leave them on all the time. |
12-26-19, 10:04 PM | #7 |
Helper EcoRenovator
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Some day they will come out with a cheap UVC light that will be reliable and last for many thousand hours.
That will be a great day |
01-08-20, 07:51 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
So many conflicting viewpoints it's hard to know what to believe anymore. Our issue has mostly gone away since I cleaned the coild pretty well with a spray on foam cleaner. Hopefully it stays that way. If it doesn't I'll probably be looking at the UV route. |
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01-08-20, 12:58 PM | #9 |
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Very common issue here in the south. Mildew and such grows in the coil and the heat cooks the stink out. Regular cleaning of the evaporator usually curbs it, but we use a product that's literally called 'DirtySox' and it does a fantastic job of getting rid of it. UV lights certainly help, but you have to be very careful how it's installed as they can damage ALL plastic in view of the bulb, eat holes right through airfilters and ruin insulation!
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The Following User Says Thank You to RB855 For This Useful Post: | jeff5may (01-16-20) |
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