Hi, the house I bought last year has an old drainback solar water heating system installed 30 years ago. It still works. However it is the dead of winter in Wisconsin and my wife is complaining of a smell that seems to be collecting in one area on the second floor of the house (in the middle of the house. the water storage tank is in the middle of the basement). I'm pretty sure this is related to the solar water system. I went in the attic trying to find any water problems...no leaks or anything I can find there or in the basement or anywhere. The smell is definitely there and can be described as rancid/fungal. I can't really detect the odor myself in the basement. Perhaps a very slight smell when I unscrew the storage tank refill cap, and perhaps this just collects in the second floor and is more prominent there.
Since I've owned the home, I've never put in any antifungal anything into the tank. I imagine that in the warmer months this isn't needed because the water temperature is 140+ degrees. But right now the tank is < 100 degrees.
Is there any recommended antifungal to add to the tank? Perhaps this antifungal product for fish tanks? http://www.amazon.com/API-Pimafix-An.../dp/B000256ESA
As a side note, honestly I'm tempted to just not bother running the system anymore, and either just draining the tank somehow or even getting the whole system removed. In the summer I believe it gets too hot and causes my basement dehumidifier to work hard (because water definitely evaporates/steams off). I have to refill it at least once a week in the summer months. It used to have a water panel in the return duct of the furnace, but that is no longer hooked up. So right now it is just heating water (and yes, it is quite effective when it isn't the dead of winter). I wonder if I'm really saving anything though, given the offset of the pumps and dehumidifier.
Since I've owned the home, I've never put in any antifungal anything into the tank. I imagine that in the warmer months this isn't needed because the water temperature is 140+ degrees. But right now the tank is < 100 degrees.
Is there any recommended antifungal to add to the tank? Perhaps this antifungal product for fish tanks? http://www.amazon.com/API-Pimafix-An.../dp/B000256ESA
As a side note, honestly I'm tempted to just not bother running the system anymore, and either just draining the tank somehow or even getting the whole system removed. In the summer I believe it gets too hot and causes my basement dehumidifier to work hard (because water definitely evaporates/steams off). I have to refill it at least once a week in the summer months. It used to have a water panel in the return duct of the furnace, but that is no longer hooked up. So right now it is just heating water (and yes, it is quite effective when it isn't the dead of winter). I wonder if I'm really saving anything though, given the offset of the pumps and dehumidifier.
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