Does Your Home Smell Like Dirty Socks?

Not much is worse than coming home from a long day only to find that the inside of your home smells worse than the inside of your teenage son’s gym bag. The smell is known as dirty sock syndrome, and it’s a fairly common problem that many homeowners face. However, that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Find out exactly what causes dirty sock syndrome and how you can stop it from happening in your home.

What Causes Dirty Sock Syndrome?

Your air conditioning and heating systems might keep your home comfortable, but they also breed all sorts of nasty germs. Bacteria love to collect and grow on your AC’s coils. For most of the year, we are fairly unaware of this fact. However, when the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, our heat pumps start to defrost. When this happens, the coils become damp, and that disgusting smell erupts from our systems. This is when our homes start to smell like “dirty socks.”

How to Treat Dirty Sock Syndrome

When your AC and heating system starts producing this smell, the only way to get rid of the smell is by having your entire system professionally cleaned. Dirty systems not only cause unpleasant odors, but they can also pollute your air, lowering the overall indoor air quality (IAQ) of your home.

In some cases, cleaning does not help get rid of the smell. This is more common in older systems that have not been properly maintained. When this is the case, the only option for getting rid of the smell may be replacing the system.

How to Avoid Dirty Sock Syndrome

When it comes to keeping your AC clean, the best defense is always a good offense. That’s why homeowners need to start fighting bacteria before their AC starts to smell. The simplest way to stop dirty sock syndrome before it starts is by adding an ultraviolet (UV) light to your air handler. UV lights kill germs on contact and stop them from spreading. With a UV light in your air handler, you’ll have a cleaner and better smelling air.

Contact Energy Air To Put An End to Smelly Air Conditioners

Are you sick and tired of your home smelling like a locker room? Then call Energy Air today! Our team will help you find the perfect solution for your home, so you don’t have to deal with a smelly air conditioning and heating system. Just give us a call today or go online to schedule your appointment.