What Is Dirty Sock Syndrome?

When the temperature dips, it’s nice to curl up on the couch, make a cup of hot chocolate and crank the heat. But nothing ruins a cozy mood quite like a moldy smell coming into your air conditioning system. If your AC has your home smelling more like a locker room rather than that new candle you just bought, then you may be experiencing dirty sock syndrome.

What’s That Smell?!

If you’re greeted with the smell of dirty socks when you turn the heater on, chances are you’re experiencing something known as dirty sock syndrome. Dirty sock syndrome occurs whenever bacteria grows and collects on the coils within your air conditioning system. While there are always bacteria within your air conditioning system, it generally goes unnoticed… that is, until the first cold snap. As soon as the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the heating system goes into defrost mode. As this happens, the coils become cold and damp and cause the dirty sock smell to infiltrate throughout the rooms in your home.

Getting Rid of Dirty Sock Syndrome

While dirty sock syndrome is a smelly and inconvenient problem, fortunately, combating the issue is pretty easy. Some air conditioners may benefit from a professional cleaning, but some may be fine with a little DIY magic.

Clean Your Air Conditioning System: If you’re experiencing dirty sock syndrome, cleaning your air conditioning system should be your first option. If a professional HVAC technician cleans your system, they will use a non-acidic cleansing product to clean and disinfect the dirty coils. This will eliminate the bacteria that cause those foul odors.

Invest in a UV Light: Ultraviolet light technology can kill the bacteria in your air conditioning system from the get-go and diminish any foul odors and prevent them from returning.

Fight Dirty Sock Syndrome with Sea Coast Air Conditioning Today

Your home should be relaxing, not reminiscent of a locker room. If you’re dealing with dirty sock syndrome, the professionals at Sea Coast Air Conditioning want to help you. Give us a call today to discuss the many bacteria and odor fighting solutions we offer for your air conditioning system.