Dirt and Dust around blower unit in basement

midwestmike

Hi.

I have a home that is 7 years old and we have constantly had dirt / dust collecting around the outside of the blower in the basement. It is bad on our steps to the basement and around the basement unit itself, collecting on the floor and stored items around the area. This seems to be more than just normal basement dust as it gets thick very quickly and we tend to clean it up often.

Any ideas?

Thank you

Mike

turnermech

your unit is not producing the dust it is drawing it in from some where. an outside source

TopTechnician

The more activity you have in a home, the more dust you will have. I once serviced a maintenance contract at a gym, and their air filters got filthy dirty in two weeks time.
The dust must be migrating towards your blower because of the suction it creates. Usually, the return is ducted down to the blower from upstairs. Is this return open and unobstructed? Air filter clean?
It is okay to return air from the basement, but I wonder if your equipment is getting dusty and dirty inside also. If air is getting into the system somehow without going through a filter, you could have problems with the blower and coil getting clogged.

scottmcd9999

Could be that your return system is inadequate, or inadequatly sealed. Air flow is very much like water flow - it will move in the direction of least resistance. If your air handler can pull air around the panels, under the bottom, etc etc, it will do so.

Can you post some pics of your install?