Smell out of heating duct

Out of every heating duct a strong smell comes out (old cellar, a bit sweet, musty). I have the feeling it mainly comes out when the heating is not on. The ducts where cleaned half a year ago…what can it be and who do I call for that?

Guest User | 5 years and 9 months ago

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Guest User | 5 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "199969"

Thank you so much!

dorkofwindsor | 5 years and 9 months ago

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Sounds like you are describing the small of basement mold to me. I’ve never referred to it as sweet but that’s how some describe it. The musty smell is another clue.

daveinbedstuy | 5 years and 9 months ago

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Install an 8″ in-line fan into some PVC pipe that vents out. No need to use the more expensive radon fans. Just one of these. https://www.amazon.com/iPower-Booster-Inline-Exhaust-Grounded/dp/B00CQBKF9M/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=8%22+inline+fan&qid=1571395695&s=industrial&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=1-9

Guest User | 5 years and 9 months ago

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I checked the cellar today and the smell clearly comes from the cellar: humid, moldy air…a little bit sweet. Can I do anything against it that it either enters the heating ducts or that the cellar stops smelling?

RobertGMarvin

in Heating and Cooling 5 years and 9 months ago

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My 50+ year old furnace has a sort of tent-like structure that holds filter material that comes on a roll, or in sheets. Several years ago I bought a large sheet of washable material big enough to make four filters. Now O just take the whole tent/frame outside and hose it off. I probably will never have to buy another filter.

daveinbedstuy | 5 years and 9 months ago

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In 34 years of homeownership I’ve never cleaned HVAC ducts either. And I’ve always had the simple type filters you change out easily, nothing fancy. Yes, when you first turn on the heat there’ll be some sort of smell. Is this your first heating season in this house?

RobertGMarvin

in Heating and Cooling 5 years and 9 months ago

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In my house I get a strong smell when I first turn the heat on for the season. I’m told it’s burning dust. It dissipates in a couple of hours. FWIW I’ve never had the ducts cleaned and have read that duct cleaning services are usually a scam.