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Grinding, Squealing and Screeching: Interpreting the Noises Your HVAC Makes

If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.

Grinding, Squealing and Screeching: Interpreting the Noises Your HVAC Makes

3 Common Sources Of Bad HVAC Odors And How To Tackle Them

by Billie Carlson

Musty odors can turn your HVAC system from a source of comfort to an object of scorn for you and your family. Fortunately, it doesn't take much effort to pinpoint the source of these foul odors and bring them under control. Here are a few common places where bad HVAC odors are bound to emanate.

Clogged Air Filters

Your HVAC air filter is the first line of defense against harmful airborne pollutants and odor-causing particles. Once the filtration media becomes packed with dust, debris and various other particles, any other particles are likely to bypass the filter completely and directly enter the HVAC system. Water leaks can make matters worse, as exposure to moisture can cause bacteria to multiply on the wet filtration media, making your bad odor problem worse.

Dealing with bad HVAC odors caused by dirty, clogged air filters is usually as simple as changing the air filter. Most experts recommend changing your filters every three months. Monthly changes are best if you're really serious about cleaning up your home's indoor air quality. You should also keep your air filters dry at all times by preventing leaks and controlling indoor humidity.

Dirty Evaporator Coils

Your HVAC system's evaporator coil can get just as dirty as your air filter but on a much slower timescale. Nevertheless, a significant buildup of dust and debris, combined with the coil's cool and damp environment, can invite mold and mildew growth. Not only does such buildup create bad odors, but it also lowers HVAC performance by blocking air from flowing through the coil.

There are a couple of effective ways you can tackle bad odors originating from the evaporator coil:

  • Have a seasoned HVAC professional inspect and clean the evaporator coil on an annual basis. Your technician will use cleaning materials that won't damage the paper-thin fins lining the coil.
  • Consider installing a UV lamp next to the evaporator coil. The germicidal properties of ultraviolet light will prevent odor-causing bacteria and mold from forming.

Clogged Condensate Trays and Drains

The condensate drip tray located underneath the evaporator coil can also harbor odor-causing mold and bacteria. Condensate drain lines can back up due to debris blockages, resulting in standing water that sets the stage for mold and mildew growth.

In most cases, a small plumber's snake is all that's needed to break up drain blockages, ensuring that water collected from the evaporator coil drains out of the HVAC system properly. Once the condensate tray is empty, you can use a combination of water and white vinegar or household bleach to clean and disinfect the tray.

For more help, contact a company like Advanced Air Quality Services today.

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