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JB[_3_] December 26th 07 03:49 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
For those who would understand the subject line should say it all. In North
GA USA I have 1.5 ton Trane heat pump about 6 years old. It has the dirty
socks syndrome, which is the colloquial and accurate description for its
tendency to emit an odor like extreme musty socks. It has done this every
year and cured itself after heating for awhile but this year is the worst. I
looked into it, called the Trane tech support rep. who told me my warranty
was useless (big surprise) and it would require a new heating coil for 1500
plus installation cost. I did some research and learned that I may get by by
giving the coil and good bleach cleaning. I can **** this down and tear it
apart. Can anyone tell me where the coil is located?



Any advice in general of things I might try myself before I lay out money
for a new coil?



I apologize in advance for my prejudice... I expect all the HVAC guys here
are going to weigh in tell me what a jerk I am for even considering
repairing this myself because it is technologically beyond the abilities of
a DIYer and how HVAC guys are all honest and of impeccable credentials and
ad museum. Unfortunately, in my experience with the industry-at least
locally-it is about as open and honest as the Sopranos. I am very
distrusting of the techs and "certified" HVAC people in my area. "Jethro",
the original "certified" HVAC installer stiffed me on the initial
installation doing about 75% of the work for 100% of the money and then
disappearing; he lost or parlayed the unit's warranty info and in the end I
had to hire another installer to finish and correct his work. This is the
rule, not the exception for (native) North GA residential building
"experts." The original installer declared bankruptcy and retired after
being tragically struck in the head by his meth pipe. I am convinced that
even though HVAC service and repair seems to be mystified by the industry as
something akin to rocket science, that if Jethro and his ilk can become
"certified" HVAC installers for a company like Trane that I ought to be able
to figure this out myself.



So ... any actual DIY advice would be appreciated.



The Freon Cowboy December 26th 07 04:02 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
you can clean it all you want , but once you get dss , you'll have it forever
without replacing the coil ,
problem is , heatpumps , never get hot enough to kill the microbes that exist
on the coil , as regular furnaces do,
ultimate solution , is ultraviolet , like sanuvox , or aprilaire
contact your local hvac dealer for more info and pricing


"JB" wrote:
For those who would understand the subject line should say it all. In North



cln December 27th 07 02:03 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
On Dec 26, 11:02*am, (The Freon Cowboy)
wrote:
you can clean it all you want , but once you get dss , you'll have it forever
without replacing the coil ,
problem is , heatpumps , never get hot enough to kill the microbes that exist
on the coil , as regular furnaces do,
ultimate solution , is ultraviolet , like sanuvox , or aprilaire
contact your local hvac dealer for more info and pricing



"JB" wrote:
For those who would understand the subject line should say it all. In North- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


So as a potential first time home builder, i can expect this if i buy
a new heat pump?

^JB, I feel you pain on repairs. In this town, all is overpriced. 10%
on construction from the next city!

The Freon Cowboy December 27th 07 02:47 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
potentially. yes , op is in georgia, very high relative humidity,
your mileage may vary .


cln wrote:
On Dec 26, 11:02=A0am, (The Freon Cowboy)wrote:$

you can clean it all you want , but once you get dss , you'll have it
fore=over without replacing the coil ,p problem is , heatpumps , never get
hot enough to kill the microbes that ex=2ist7 on the coil , as regular
furnaces do,n ultimate solution , is ultraviolet , like sanuvox , or
aprilaire- contact your local hvac dealer for more info and pricingy kr
"JB" wrote:a For those who would understand
the subject line should say it all. In Nor=8th- Hide quoted text -eg - Show
quoted text -j.So as a potential first time home builder, i can expect this if
i buy.a new heat pump?ew^JB, I feel you pain on repairs. In this town, all is
overpriced. 10%6on construction from the next city!




ransley December 27th 07 03:35 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
On Dec 27, 7:47*am, (The Freon Cowboy)
wrote:
potentially. yes , op is in georgia, very high relative humidity,
your mileage may vary .

cln wrote:
On Dec 26, 11:02=A0am, (The Freon Cowboy)wrote:$


you can clean it all you want , but once you get dss , you'll have it
fore=over without replacing the coil ,p problem is , heatpumps , never get
hot enough to kill the microbes that ex=2ist7 on the coil , as regular
furnaces do,n ultimate solution , is ultraviolet , like sanuvox , or
aprilaire- contact your local hvac dealer for more info and pricingy kr"JB" wrote:a For those who would understand

the subject line should say it all. In Nor=8th- Hide quoted text -eg - Show
quoted text -j.So as a potential first time home builder, i can expect this if
i buy.a new heat pump?ew^JB, I feel you pain on repairs. In this town, all is
overpriced. 10%6on construction from the next city!


I would guess a program of yearly cleaning is in order, you have mold
growing somewhere. A new coil would probably get contaminated soon
since the conditions still exist, maybe a consensate drain is clogged.
I dont know if bleach will harm aluminum, you need to try a different
tech, perhaps a UV light will help.

JB[_3_] December 27th 07 04:13 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
Thank you. Any information on these coated coils that are supposed to be
anti-contaminating. I have read that UV lights do not work. This all so
frustrating. I'm actuilly considering junking this thing and going in a
different direction.

"ransley" wrote in message
...
On Dec 27, 7:47 am, (The Freon Cowboy)
wrote:
potentially. yes , op is in georgia, very high relative humidity,
your mileage may vary .

cln wrote:
On Dec 26, 11:02=A0am, (The Freon
Cowboy)wrote:$


you can clean it all you want , but once you get dss , you'll have it
fore=over without replacing the coil ,p problem is , heatpumps , never
get
hot enough to kill the microbes that ex=2ist7 on the coil , as regular
furnaces do,n ultimate solution , is ultraviolet , like sanuvox , or
aprilaire- contact your local hvac dealer for more info and pricingy
kr"JB" wrote:a For those who would

understand

the subject line should say it all. In Nor=8th- Hide quoted text -eg -
Show
quoted text -j.So as a potential first time home builder, i can expect
this if
i buy.a new heat pump?ew^JB, I feel you pain on repairs. In this town, all
is
overpriced. 10%6on construction from the next city!


I would guess a program of yearly cleaning is in order, you have mold
growing somewhere. A new coil would probably get contaminated soon
since the conditions still exist, maybe a consensate drain is clogged.
I dont know if bleach will harm aluminum, you need to try a different
tech, perhaps a UV light will help.



JB[_3_] December 27th 07 04:21 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
From the reading I have done (and consider I am just an amateur/sucker in
this shell game called N. GA builder ethics) I would say do not get a heat
pump. If I had this to do over I would choose a different option. I have two
heatpumps. One in the main house never has had DSS but the "heat" it
delivers is so pathetic that the houseis never warm when the temperature
gets low. The second system is in a large additon and warms/cools it fine
but I think it is becase I put interior insulation in all the walls.

As for costs, I would glady play ten percent increase if the person
1)actualy knew what he was doing 2) showed up when he said he would show up
3) finsihed the job 4) did not steal my money. I don;t want to make this
poitical but after living in N.GA for 20 years I have to agree with comedian
Tim Wilson that no real (construction) work gets done here by any white man.
"We're covered up!" If you want something done, honestly and on time, hire
a Mexican.


"cln" wrote in message
...
On Dec 26, 11:02 am, (The Freon Cowboy)
wrote:
you can clean it all you want , but once you get dss , you'll have it
forever
without replacing the coil ,
problem is , heatpumps , never get hot enough to kill the microbes that
exist
on the coil , as regular furnaces do,
ultimate solution , is ultraviolet , like sanuvox , or aprilaire
contact your local hvac dealer for more info and pricing



"JB" wrote:
For those who would understand the subject line should say it all. In
North- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


So as a potential first time home builder, i can expect this if i buy
a new heat pump?

^JB, I feel you pain on repairs. In this town, all is overpriced. 10%
on construction from the next city!



Zyp December 29th 07 10:25 PM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
The Freon Cowboy wrote:
you can clean it all you want , but once you get dss , you'll have it
forever without replacing the coil ,
problem is , heatpumps , never get hot enough to kill the microbes
that exist on the coil , as regular furnaces do,
ultimate solution , is ultraviolet , like sanuvox , or aprilaire
contact your local hvac dealer for more info and pricing


"JB" wrote:
For those who would understand the subject line should say it all.
In North


But beware using UV lights will / can destroy some plastic drain pans. Be
sure your not the owner of a plastic drain pan before installing UV lights.

--
Zyp



lp13-30 December 30th 07 02:55 AM

Dirty Sock Syndrome Trane Heat Pump
 
Zyp, most plastic drain pans are supposed to be UV resistant, or so the
mfgs claim. What you do need to be careful about though is wiring and
the inner part of flex duct, depending on where the lights are
installed. Larry



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