What is dirty sock syndrome?

“Dirty Sock Syndrome” refers to when a foul-smelling, mold- or mildew-like odor comes from your air conditioner when you first turn it on. This happens when moisture, dust, and dirt build up on your AC system's evaporator coil, inviting bacteria and mold to multiply.

Is Dirty sock syndrome harmful?

Is It Dangerous? As unpleasant as Dirty Sock Syndrome can be, the good news is that it's generally not harmful to your health. Those with sensitive allergies may experience sneezing, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms, but there are no known long-term health effects from this issue.

What Causes Stinky sock syndrome?

Dirty Sock Syndrome is caused by the buildup of mold and bacteria on your air conditioner. Specifically, this buildup occurs in the system's evaporator coil, which is housed in the indoor A/C unit.

Does mold smell like dirty socks?

The smell of Dirty Sock Syndrome is a direct result of decaying organic material leading to mold, mildew, and bacteria buildup in your cooling unit.

Will dirty sock syndrome go away?

Fortunately, Dirty Sock Syndrome can usually be addressed and fixed rather easily. Since the source of the odor is mold and bacterial growth, a good cleaning of the coils of your air conditioner will usually take care of the problem.

What is Dirty Sock Syndrome?

Why does my bedroom smell like dirty socks?

What Causes Dirty Sock Syndrome? “Dirty Sock Syndrome” refers to when a foul-smelling, mold- or mildew-like odor comes from your air conditioner when you first turn it on. This happens when moisture, dust, and dirt build up on your AC system's evaporator coil, inviting bacteria and mold to multiply.

Is Dirty sock syndrome covered by warranty?

Is “Dirty-Sock Syndrome” a manufacturer warranty issue? Is it an installation problem, making the contractor liable? The answer to these 2 questions is “Absolutely Not.” Manufacturer warranties cover deficiencies in material and workmanship.

Why does my heat smell like stinky feet?

Your filters may be dirty or your drainage system clogged, causing too much moisture or standing water in your AC unit that eventually starts to smell like sweaty feet. Call your HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the problem. Burning.

Why does my house smell like stinky feet?

Your house probably has Dirty Sock Syndrome.

Here's what's happening: You've got a really dirty evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is the air conditioning (or heat pump) coil inside your HVAC system's air handler, or blower.

Why does my bedroom smell like cheese?

The typical bathroom mold or mildew found growing between shower tiles don't typically smell like rot, but severe mold growth on walls and ceilings — especially after a flood or leak — can make room smell like rotting wood or fermented cheese.

Can a dirty heat pump make you sick?

Clean air keeps the germs away

Where does it go? Dirty furnaces & heat pumps start recycling dirty, mold and allergen filled air that can make you sick. All those nasty little germs and contaminates get pushed back into the air you breathe.

What do dirty socks smell like?

butyric acid, which smells like rancid butter. dimethyl disulphide, which smells like onions. dimethyl trisulphide. 2-heptanone, which smells like bananas.

Why does my room smell like wet socks?

The dirty sock odor is caused by the growth of mold and mildew on the evaporator coil in your air conditioner. Dust gets caught in the moisture that collects in your coil due to continued use, which in turn leads to the growth of mold and mildew.

Can dirty AC coils make you sick?

Your air conditioner blows air into every room in your home – air that has passed over a dirty coil! If anyone in your family is experiencing asthma or flu-like symptoms, fatigue, or allergy symptoms, it could be caused by mold in your air conditioner or ductwork.

Why does my AC smell like wet clothes?

When excess moisture accumulates inside air ducts and vents, it's caused by high humidity levels or a drainage leak. If you smell something musty as soon as you turn on the AC unit, there's a chance that mold and mildew have made their way into your ductwork.

Why do bedrooms smell like feet?

Sex, showers, and illness all carry odors that get trapped in carpet fibers. Stinky feet, muddy shoes, and spilled nighttime treats add to the stench. This is prime breeding ground for musty smells. If removing the carpet isn't an option, pour baking soda onto your carpet – lightly, of course – all over the room.

Why do mini splits smell?

A mini-split AC musty smell is most often a telltale sign of mold growth. You may describe it as stale or similar to dirty socks. Mold and mildew are problematic for mini-split systems, and professional cleaning is often required.

Why does my heat smell sour?

Moldy, Damp, or Funky Smell

So if you smell a sour, earthy, or otherwise funky odor from your vents or furnace unit, you may have a moisture issue in your system. Moisture is one of a few ingredients that contribute to mold and bacteria growth, the others being darkness, oxygen, and warmth.

Are Air Conditioners bad for dogs?

Air conditioners can only make your pet sick if you don't use the perfect settings, otherwise, they are perfectly safe and very useful for cats and dogs! There are no risks involved if you leave your pets at home with the air conditioner activated.

Why does my heat smell like cheese?

Fritos, old cheese or dirty socks? Yes, some furnaces do get this smell! A build up of bacteria in your heating system can happen when your furnace cycles from hot to cold, such as during the fall and spring seasons, when you may not turn the heat on everyday.

Why does my car AC smell like stinky feet?

These smells are usually due to dirt, dust and debris buildup in the under-hood air intake vent, trapping water and moisture on the AC evaporator and in the evaporator case. All kinds of nasty gunk (germs, mold, mildew) can fester and grow in that wet, trapped debris.

Why does my house smell like dirty laundry?

If you're smelling something strange, your dirty laundry may be to blame. Stagnant air — Stagnant air traps airborne particles like dust, mold spores, and even tobacco smoke from your clothes. This is especially true on hot humid days.

Why does my heat smell like wet dog?

Dirty sock syndrome is the result of mold, fungal, and bacterial grown inside of your AC, resulting in a home air conditioner that smells like a wet dog (or worse). The moisture from your AC evaporator coil combines with spores, making the perfect environment for mold and other unwanted substances to grow and thrive.

Does mold smell like feet?

Mold does not always have a strong smell but when it is present, it's often described as musty. Others have described mold smelling earthy, meaty or resembling the odor of wet socks or rotten wood.