Get the dust smell out of my house! (design, rated)

[momtogrif]

How do I get the dusty smell out of my house? Ever since the dust storm I have a dusty smell coming out of my vents but it's most noticeable at the air exchange vents. I changed both filters and wiped down the exchange vents, as well. I also use a HEPA vacuum and have a HEPA air filter in 2 rooms.

[rjrcm]

Originally Posted by momtogrif

How do I get the dusty smell out of my house? Ever since the dust storm I have a dusty smell coming out of my vents but it's most noticeable at the air exchange vents. I changed both filters and wiped down the exchange vents, as well. I also use a HEPA vacuum and have a HEPA air filter in 2 rooms.

It may just take some time to filter out all the dust particles which may eventually take care of the smell. There are also companies that will clean the ducts.

[momtogrif]

Originally Posted by rjrcm

It may just take some time to filter out all the dust particles which may eventually take care of the smell. There are also companies that will clean the ducts.

Yeah, I've had that done a few years ago. I hosed off the outside units, too, so I'm hoping it dissipates soon. It seems that the upstairs unit is worse than downstairs so maybe I need to run my HEPA filter right under the air exchange vent.

[azdr0710]

life in Arizona!

[EnicAZ]

You can try to clean as much as you can. After that, it will take a while because the smell is always around to some degree. The strenght inside the house should lessen though, but it won't completely go away.

Moderator cut: off topic

[PheenixJobless]

You have to wipe down the walls, in addition to steam cleaning the carpet. Some people only look at the ground, but you have to get pretty much every surface, including corners.

[AZgarden]

Originally Posted by PheenixJobless

You have to wipe down the walls, in addition to steam cleaning the carpet. Some people only look at the ground, but you have to get pretty much every surface, including corners.

C'mon, you've got to be kidding....

[Zippyman]

I started using a thicker (low-restriction) return air filter made by Honeywell last year (it's a 4 inch filter that fits in those filter grilles designed for 1-inch filters)... it's hard to explain, but if you look at the side view you'll understand. They're "merv-10" rated, and you only change them once a year. As for duct cleaning - if your filters are good, there won't be any more dust getting into your ducts... and cleaning flexi-duct (which is very common in phoenix) is not a very good idea anyway. There's an inner plastic liner on flex-duct, damaging that means you get fiberglass dust inside your house & cold air leaking into your attic...

They come in other sizes - 20x30 is one of the more common ones...

FC40R1029 - Honeywell FC40R1029 - 20" x 30" Return Grill Media Air Filter