We have heat pumps for both AC and heat. Around the house are several grills covering the intakes, near the floor. They go straight down about 5 feet into the slab and to the units. Outgoing air comes in from grills up high.
It is obvious we have some dead animal down there, as the stench started about a week ago and is getting steadily stronger all the time. It must be near the dining room intake, as that is where the smell is the worst.
I’ve called a duct cleaning outfit due tomorrow on the recommendation of my AC service guy. I asked both how in the hell any animal could possibly get into this completely closed system.
Both had no idea, but said it is not uncommon.
Anybody know how any animal larger than an insect could possibly get through the louvers on the grills into the ducts?
Judging from the smell, it must be about the size of a horse.
I would start by making sure all the grates ARE on and that the system IS sealed. Check around the furnace and by the filter for any openings. Remember, something like a mouse only needs an opening the size of a quarter to get in.
Thanks, ZipperJJ, that’s interesting, and makes me realize I’m lucky, I guess. Having a house on a poured slab is a pain when I want to run wires, cables, etc, but in this case, it is a good thing. All the AC ductwork is put in place, and then the cement is poured around and over all the pipes, conduits, sewer lines and ductwork. Thus, as everything is embedded in solid concrete, it is almost impossible to have the disaster you linked to happen here.
In any case, I hope they can recover the animal remains when the get here.