Mark22 Posted February 4, 2022 Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 Hello Everyone, I was looking online for some solution and i came across this forum. I have been living in an apartment for past few years. This January suddenly i started experiencing some kind of damp odor from all the vents. It comes out when using both AC cool and Heat. I had maintanence crew come in multiple times and also pest control. They said they don't smell anything. One of them was able to witness the smell, but couldn't figure out whats wrong. Odor neutralizing gel was placed near the AC filter. I myself bought HVAC odor block. But I couldn't stand that smell. And they don't seem to fix the issue. Sometimes the odor is very strong and other time it is very low. I am very sensitive to Odor/Scent and this gives me so much discomfort. I was using the air filter provided by management for past few months, i did some research online and found out it is MERV 2(Not efficient). I bought a new MERV 11 air filter. My apartment has no molds or pests. I keep everything clean all the time. I bought a new air purifier to see if that helps. I don't know what is causing this smell. Is there any fix you guys can recommend? Thanks , Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 4, 2022 Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 Is there a hygrometer in the apartment? One like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GR65CNT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark22 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 I have one for measuring indoor temperature and humidity. Acurite brand. I am from Texas. Right now Indoor humidity shows as 40% . Today - (40% Lowest 59% Highest) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 4, 2022 Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 24 minutes ago, Mark22 said: I have one for measuring indoor temperature and humidity. Acurite brand. I am from Texas. Right now Indoor humidity shows as 40% . Today - (40% Lowest 59% Highest) Tell me about your central heating system. Is it electric, natural gas, or does it use water from the water heater to warm the house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark22 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 I believe it uses water from water heater. When we had winter storm last year, water pipe broke and water service got shutdown. I had no heat for 2 weeks till the water service came back. Last month, Maintanance staff checked the water heater in the patio for any issue. Didn't find anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 4, 2022 Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 8 minutes ago, Mark22 said: I believe it uses water from water heater. When we had winter storm last year, water pipe broke and water service got shutdown. I had no heat for 2 weeks till the water service came back. Last month, Maintanance staff checked the water heater in the patio for any issue. Didn't find anything. Maintenance may have missed it. I'd check closely for leaks in the coil that gets water from the water heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark22 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 9 minutes ago, Marc said: Maintenance may have missed it. I'd check closely for leaks in the coil that gets water from the water heater. i have the odor while running the AC cool as well. Not only during the heat. Do you think it will impact the cool mode as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 4, 2022 Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 2 minutes ago, Mark22 said: i have the odor while running the AC cool as well. Not only during the heat. Do you think it will impact the cool mode as well? I don't know the details of such systems, never worked on one, but I doubt the water pressure in that coil is relieved during the summer months. I suspect the recirculating pump is simply turned off, leaving the coil still pressurized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark22 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 4 minutes ago, Marc said: I don't know the details of such systems, never worked on one, but I doubt the water pressure in that coil is relieved during the summer months. I suspect the recirculating pump is simply turned off, leaving the coil still pressurized. Thanks for the info. I will get it checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asihi Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 A few questions; Do you happen to live on the 1st floor of the building? Are the ducts in the floor or ceiling? Does it have the sour smell of sewer gas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark22 Posted February 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 I live in the 3rd floor. I have attic above me. It is a damp or spoiled smell. It makes me to cough to death. 2 weeks before rats broke inside my kitchen. They somehow figured out to make hole behind the dish washer. Pest control is working on it right now. I am moving to a different apartment next month. I suspect it to be mold or mildew. Apartment put merv 2 filter for months. I wasn't aware of it. Not sure if so much dust accumulated. When the temperature and humidity goes high, the smell starts coming out even without turning ON the system. I have sealed all the vents. I am done with it. It's been a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeBenjamin Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) I’m not really familiar with air conditioning filters and odor from AC and heating vents and such so I get my HVAC system regularly serviced by LINK DELETED for maintenance as well and it's a really big help. Edited February 24, 2022 by Bill Kibbel Link dropper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 6 minutes ago, LeeBenjamin said: I’m not really familiar with air conditioning filters and odor from AC and heating vents and such so I get my HVAC system regularly serviced by LINK DELETED for maintenance as well and it's a really big help. That's amazing! A Miami HVAC contractor services your system in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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