Hvac question

[ironsniper1]

My girlfriends parents got new hvac system a couple of months ago and just recently we started smelling a bleach type smell in my gf's bedroom and bathroom both of which are above the hvac system itself in the garage, I asked her mom about it and she said that this new system has a air scrubber and that's what's causing the smell, but I don't think it should smell like bleach or am I wrong? Any advice from some hvac people would be great

[peejman]

Could be the bleach they used to clean everything up when they installed the new system. But I'd think that would go away in days, rather than months. Does the smell coincide with switching the system over to heat?

[ironsniper1]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1352378085' post='841704']
Could be the bleach they used to clean everything up when they installed the new system. But I'd think that would go away in days, rather than months. Does the smell coincide with switching the system over to heat?
[/quote]that i do not know, i just know after the heat has run a while and then turns off there is a strong bleach smell

[1morethan8]

If they added a humidifier to the system, sometimes they will add a small amount of chlorine bleach to the water.
Most humidifiers are added near the air handler either on the supply or return duct. Kind of odd it would only have a smell in one section of the house? A call back to the contractor to check the system may be in order?

[peejman]

Didn't think of that, but it could be the humidifier was well. I'd call the installer and have then come look at it. It shouldn't smell at all, especially if it's got an air scrubber. That's the whole point, to eliminate odors and particulates.

[TrickyNicky]

Scrubbers are usually not smelly, wonder If they went all out and installed an ozone generator? They don't smell quite like bleach but do have an odor. It would also make sense to only smell it in a part of the house near the new system. If it is an ozone generator you need to have it either turned down or have a length of ducting added between it and the ducting leading into the house as the ozone is hazardous to your health.

It's unlikely that's what's in there but certainly a possibility.

[Schadenfreude]

It is more than likely ozone look for a box with glowing blue light, probably an ultra violet light bulb, do not stare at the bulb when it's on if you find it, it can cause eye damage. Sometimes these things are installed incorrectly & run 24/7 whether the system is on or not this results in an ozone build up in the system when the fan is not running. I am not an hvac expert but I do know a few things about these oz generators. If it were mine I would disable it.

[ironsniper1]

This is the only thing I saw
[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/19/te6uny6e.jpg[/IMG]

[TrickyNicky]

The web site for activtec makes the unit sound like an ozone generator. Have your gfs parents call the hvac company and complain about the odor. If the model can't be dialed down or set to cycle on/off they should IMO replace it with something else or possibly add ducting to the unit to give it more length to clean the air and then dissipate before returning to the room.

Keep in mind I'm not an hvac guy but I did sell ozone generators for a while at my last job so have a little experience with them. Of course the operative word there being little. What I can say is what I said before, the generators basically create an extra o2 molecule which "attacks" and neutralizes carbon based organic material. Your lungs qualify as carbon based organic material.

This is what I remember from a few years ago so I may be incorrect on the o2 but do remember very clearly the our sales rep warning us not to expose ourselves to the powered generators for extended periods.

[Guest Errokk]

[quote name='luke9511' timestamp='1353302357' post='848040']This is the only thing I saw
[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/19/te6uny6e.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

This is a UV light. Call your contractor back To verify its only operating when its supposed to. Also have them check the coil for corrosion, aluminum oxidizing releases chlorine molecules into the air.

Beans and CornBread!

[Schadenfreude]

That unit comes in 2 versions, with & without ozone, also it should be off when the blower motor is. There is no adjustment on it, it's full on or off.

[ironsniper1]

[quote name='Schadenfreude' timestamp='1353325483' post='848075']That unit comes in 2 versions, with & without ozone, also it should be off when the blower motor is. There is no adjustment on it, it's full on or off.[/quote]there was nothing running when I took that pic unless those indoor units have become extremely silent since my grandparents got theirs back in the 90's