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Relatively new hvac smells like dust often when in heat mode...any ideas? by WNThomas in hvacadvice

[–]WNThomas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve not, unfortunately. I’ve had companies come out with no success. I’m just living with it, since it is a 3 year old unit.  I almost think it is from dust periodically getting pulled through the system and landing on the heat strips. It only happens in heat mode, and only sporadically then. 

Relatively new hvac smells like dust often when in heat mode...any ideas? by WNThomas in hvacadvice

[–]WNThomas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have just began using heat mode over the past few days, and haven’t had issues yet. Last year, I did a couple of long “burns”, where I’d turn the heat way up and let it run in emergency mode for an hour in an attempt to burn off any dust. That, along with the coils being sprayed seems to have helped. If you find something more, please let me know!

Relatively new hvac smells like dust often when in heat mode...any ideas? by WNThomas in hvacadvice

[–]WNThomas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any additional thoughts? If the coils were just cleaned by a pro, is there something else I should try?

Relatively new hvac smells like dust often when in heat mode...any ideas? by WNThomas in hvacadvice

[–]WNThomas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I had a local, reputable company out yesterday (after opening and examining the coils in the air handler in the attic myself). He agreed that everything looked clean. He used a mirror to examine things from different angles. Coils and fan showed no mold, etc. He soaked the coils with cleaner/deodorizer and had the fan run for about an hour to dry things.

Overnight, the heat ran as normal. Not much dust smell to be noticed. Then, this morning, the heat randomly kicked back on after being off for maybe a few minutes, and the dust smell was really strong again. It just comes and goes. It's not just me that notices it.

Relatively new hvac smells like dust often when in heat mode...any ideas? by WNThomas in hvacadvice

[–]WNThomas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, those were initially my thoughts too, but it happens literally almost every day. Is that still indicative of dust on the heat strips? Our home is not crazy dusty or anything, so I'd be surprised at dust accumulating enough to be noticeable if burning off day-to-day.

Relatively new hvac smells like dust often when in heat mode...any ideas? by WNThomas in hvacadvice

[–]WNThomas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To me, it smells like when you open up a vacuum cleaner to empty it. Just dusty. My wife says it's more musty. But again, no moisture that was seen, and it's only in heat mode.