fixitnewbie
June 30th, 2008, 06:59 PM
My house is driving me crazy: the central HVAC blows out dirt, and lots of it. It's really bad near the outlets where the heated or cooled air blows into the room, so it's definitely the HVAC system that's the culprit. I've gotten several explanations for this over the years from various HVAC companies, and have gone as far as having the entire system replaced - more than once! Yet it continues to get worse.
I have an "air cleaner" (or whatever it's called) that's supposed to take all the extra crud out before it even reaches the regular AC - the kind that needs an annual filter change. Mine needs a new filter every couple of months. The last time we replaced the system, the salesman swore that I wouldn't need a filter on the intake vent because of the air cleaner, but when the dirt problem was obviously worsened after installation of the latest system and new ducting, I was told that yes, the intake vent DOES require a filter. It didn't help.
Right now I have it licked: I'm using window ACs, which are easier on the electric bill, anyway. But I'd really like to get the central unit working properly - and running clean.
The ducts themselves are supposedly sealed, though the "testing" for this was completed by the company that sold me the new, supposedly sealed ductwork. They also tried to explain the increased dirt around the vents as being caused by "static electricity." Sure, and if I blow on a pile of sand, it will end up sticking to my face, right?
The house is an old one and I'm certain needs many patches and plugs throughout. But why would a supposedly sealed HVAC system, including a special air cleaner, be blowing out dirt with the cooled or heated air, regardless of how many holes may be in my house?
I can't afford to replace the whole thing again. I can't afford to do much of anything right now. I'm hoping that someone can walk me through some diagnostic steps (what do I check first, etc.) so that maybe I can isolate the real problem - and maybe even FIX it. I have a son with asthma whose health has suffered because of this, and I have replaced far too many computers and peripherals because their life expectancies are shortened in this environment.
The dust is SO bad that when I recently moved my refrigerator from the spot it had been in for about 3 years, it looked like there was a 5-inch thick later of gray felt behind it - halfway up the height of the fridge. I looked underneath, and there was the same "felt" completely encasing everything I could see. Thank goodness I caught it before the fridge died, too.
Sorry for such a long query, and thanks in advance to anyone who can help me figure this one out!
I have an "air cleaner" (or whatever it's called) that's supposed to take all the extra crud out before it even reaches the regular AC - the kind that needs an annual filter change. Mine needs a new filter every couple of months. The last time we replaced the system, the salesman swore that I wouldn't need a filter on the intake vent because of the air cleaner, but when the dirt problem was obviously worsened after installation of the latest system and new ducting, I was told that yes, the intake vent DOES require a filter. It didn't help.
Right now I have it licked: I'm using window ACs, which are easier on the electric bill, anyway. But I'd really like to get the central unit working properly - and running clean.
The ducts themselves are supposedly sealed, though the "testing" for this was completed by the company that sold me the new, supposedly sealed ductwork. They also tried to explain the increased dirt around the vents as being caused by "static electricity." Sure, and if I blow on a pile of sand, it will end up sticking to my face, right?
The house is an old one and I'm certain needs many patches and plugs throughout. But why would a supposedly sealed HVAC system, including a special air cleaner, be blowing out dirt with the cooled or heated air, regardless of how many holes may be in my house?
I can't afford to replace the whole thing again. I can't afford to do much of anything right now. I'm hoping that someone can walk me through some diagnostic steps (what do I check first, etc.) so that maybe I can isolate the real problem - and maybe even FIX it. I have a son with asthma whose health has suffered because of this, and I have replaced far too many computers and peripherals because their life expectancies are shortened in this environment.
The dust is SO bad that when I recently moved my refrigerator from the spot it had been in for about 3 years, it looked like there was a 5-inch thick later of gray felt behind it - halfway up the height of the fridge. I looked underneath, and there was the same "felt" completely encasing everything I could see. Thank goodness I caught it before the fridge died, too.
Sorry for such a long query, and thanks in advance to anyone who can help me figure this one out!