First it’s important to understand what Dirty Sock Syndrome is…it’s an unpleasant odor coming through the vents in your home – and it resembles the smell of a dirty sock. When mildew and bacteria are allowed to build up they can cause problems.
Regular maintenance and cleaning of your HVAC equipment is the #1 way to avoid this problem. Airtron’s Essential Service plan includes 2 seasonal tune-ups, which can keep your system running at peak performance.
What Causes Dirty Sock Syndrome?
Well, technically no one is exactly sure what causes an air conditioner to produce that smell, but everyone agrees that regular maintenance can prevent it from happening. First and foremost, it is important to understand that it is not an error in the installation of your system, and the smell while offensive is not dangerous to you or your family.
It is believed, that in places like Dallas in the springtime, the furnace could be needed overnight and then during the day the a/c will turn on that Dirty Sock Syndrome is more likely to occur. This combination of heat and cold air along with dust and moisture can be just the recipe.
How Do You Prevent It?
The best way to avoid dirty sock syndrome is:
- Regular maintenance on your ac & furnace, such as Essential Service or Essential HomeCare
- Replace the air filters frequently approximately every 3 months
- Use high-quality air filters
- Have a UV air purifier/UV light installed
- Check your drainage pan for standing water and proper draining
These steps will help prevent that musty smell from returning, but you have to continue to be vigilant about keeping it clean and preventing the causes from coming back.
Sign Up for Essential HomeCare or Essential Service
Our Essential Maintenance Plans:
Choose from Essential HomeCare or Essential HomeCare Plus and receive regular maintenance, 24 hour priority service and best of all you pay nothing at time of service for covered repairs. Essential HomeCare offers unlimited service calls and doesn’t require an inspection to qualify*.
We also offer Essential Service, which can help with dirty sock syndrome and includes seasonal tune-ups for your furnace and air conditioner. Plus you receive 15% off service, priority scheduling and possibly avoid costly in-season breakdowns.