Fogging hvac ducts for odor removal

[Corvette Mark]

Hello GJ. There is a persistent smell in my hvac ducts. They aren’t dirty in the sense of them being covered in dirt/ dust, but there is a fine film throughout them that is emitting a persistent smell (from food/ cooking). Would fogging the return duct with the blower fan running with a product like Odoban do the job of eliminating the smell? I would think a fogger which emits a mist would coat the ducts and eliminate the smell. Any tips or suggestions? Thank you.

 

[mrbill55]

Hello GJ. There is a persistent smell in my hvac ducts. They aren’t dirty in the sense of them being covered in dirt/ dust, but there is a fine film throughout them that is emitting a persistent smell (from food/ cooking). Would fogging the return duct with the blower fan running with a product like Odoban do the job of eliminating the smell? I would think a fogger which emits a mist would coat the ducts and eliminate the smell. Any tips or suggestions? Thank you.

I'd have the ducts professionally cleaned, they will get rid of the film you speak of, as well as ozone your ducts afterwards.

I'd also check your filter(s) and replace them.

Bill S.

 

[karoc]

At work over the years I would get OT fogging air handler’s and duct work. Turn on air handler and set fogger right at return run for about hour. Not heavy fog but to where you can see it fogging. So your idea will work if you’re using correct chemical. What’s that chemical you ask, years ago and I can’t remember. But you have process correct. This is not DIY project, leave it to professionals. But I may ask how do you know that it’s in ductwork? The ductwork has plastic liner inside then insulation, then plastic outer liner. With that being said your return air can and your Plenum insulation is on inside which will hold odors and mold. If your evap coil will also hold odors due to maybe being little dirty. This just little more info for something to think about. Can’t fog one and not other, plus better to do whole system.
Where I work at we no longer fog ahu’s anymore, they contract it out now. But fogging works if done right.

 

[dogdog]

ULV cold fogger with corconbium / or disinfectants like In-Cide.

There are other brand of disinfectants...but
read label first... some disinfectants might not like those galv metal ducts.

Theochem Laboratories 1 GA-Gallon In-Cide, Ready to Use Disinfectant All-Purpose Cleaner 500158-g - The Home Depot

This product is a 1-step ready to use disinfectant cleaner that is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, is viricidal, fungicidal and will inhibit the growth of mold and mildew and their odors

www.homedepot.com

I have both of these... used for various jobs.. Ryobi is for smaller job... the tri jet really spray a fine mist that you can just run the HVAC in fan mode for a bit then let it rest to kill the mold / germ... UVC with ozone... light might work but they only work well when you have the light directly on it.. which is not possible in ducts. I have that also on a clamp on lamp base and drop it into my return and let it (the fan only mode) run for few hours while I go out. that slime you have might be some sort of bacteria that you need disinfectants to get rid of.... and who knows how many spot inside your duct.


you might be able to find the fogger at your homedepot rental... not cheap if you have to do it multiple day times.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VX9ZMBH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Electrostatic 0.5 Gal Sprayer with 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger P2890 - The Home Depot

Provide an essential and best addition to your home with this affordable RYOBI ONE+ Lithium-Ion Cordless Electrostatic 0.5 Gal Sprayer Battery and Charger.

www.homedepot.com

 

[dogdog]

Steam cleaning is an option if you can reach the area of the duct.

 

[unslow1]

At work over the years I would get OT fogging air handler’s and duct work. Turn on air handler and set fogger right at return run for about hour. Not heavy fog but to where you can see it fogging. So your idea will work if you’re using correct chemical. What’s that chemical you ask, years ago and I can’t remember. But you have process correct. This is not DIY project, leave it to professionals. But I may ask how do you know that it’s in ductwork? The ductwork has plastic liner inside then insulation, then plastic outer liner. With that being said your return air can and your Plenum insulation is on inside which will hold odors and mold. If your evap coil will also hold odors due to maybe being little dirty. This just little more info for something to think about. Can’t fog one and not other, plus better to do whole system.
Where I work at we no longer fog ahu’s anymore, they contract it out now. But fogging works if done right.

This is the only way I've had success. The little fogging cans you can buy at auto parts stores or Walmart work pretty well.

 

[My Old Tools]

rent an ozone machine

 

[jonesg]

just wondering how cooking exhaust is reaching hvac ducts.

 

[jonesg]

I bought a restaurant in boston 20 yrs ago, in an office complex.
The dining room always had a vague fryolator smell.
The building engineer said the ducts needed cleaning.
i opened up the side panel of the big unit and found a wire that had never been connected, I touched it to the obvious terminal it sat next to and a large flapper plate started moving.
I told the building manager , they had the engineer fix it and the smell disappeared.

 

[jkuro]

As MrBill said above, get them professionally cleaned. They will send a brush through each duct and **** out the dirt, clean the grills, and then ozone the ducts. They will also clean the furnace plenum and change filters. It's worth the cost.

 

[niget2002]

Which air filters do you use on your AC?

Do you use the vent above your stove when you cook? Does it exhaust outside?

Cleaning your ducts will only do so much if you don't fix the source of the smell.