--206.53.xxx.xx

Clean the ducts.....in both units. --64.12.xxx.xx

--65.127.xxx.xxx

If none of the above I think the tennant is messing with you.... --66.72.xxx.xxx

As far as the lab test I was going to have some of the material tested via FTIR next week (I have a filter specimen that was set just inside the register). I already had a lab technician from work look at the sample and he said it looked like an oil or powder substance (or soot) under high magnification, and said it wasn't mold or mildew or any living organism. I am also having another HVAC company look at the situation for a second opinion. This tenant could be playing games, but right now I am rightfully giving her the benefit of the doubt. I am just wondering if anyone has ever experienced something like this? --206.53.xxx.xx

let us know what you fine --71.246.xxx.xxx

Is the property near a factory or power plant? Could you have had a small fire in the attic or in the ductwork some where? If there is no residue on the returns, this has to be something inside the ductwork of the furnace. Are the two attics seperated or joined? Seems odd that both units would have similiar problems unless both air handlers are in the attic...that would lead me to search the attic area. --66.72.xxx.xxx

Should have read "inside the ductwork OR the furnace" --66.72.xxx.xxx

Perhaps a routine service of the furnace perhaps woud prevent these type of problems... --70.106.xx.xxx

Irish your church probably had an oil furnace that had what is called a "puff back"...he said this was 2 individual heat pumps.....fyi. --66.72.xxx.xxx

Seems to me that HVAC ducts, while with a certain bit of humidity, would rarely create a condition leading to either mildew or black mold... --70.106.xx.xxx

Right JC...I missed that about the separate heat pumps...my bad... --70.106.xx.xxx

Is there a coal mine operation anywhere near or trucks hauling coal? --162.39.xxx.xx

Use a cleaning company for the ductwork that has a HEPA vac this way the junk is trapped and not released back in the air on the porch or something like that, mold is an airborne spore and mildew is from moisture which neglected can feed mold growth, bleach is a wonderful thing to knock out mold and mildew, ventilation helps a lot too. --76.241.xxx.xx

When does a return blow air out,???????? --68.58.xxx.xx

Thanks for the posts! I thought that this was just an inconvenience for the tenant, but today things went South with her (the rent was also due today by the way and I didn't collect because of this). The more I think about this based on the posts and conversations with the tenant the fishier it gets. I will go and check both units tomorrow (both are separate units with completely separate and independent systems, and a fire wall in-between the attics ) and update tomorrow. There are no coal mines or anything strange that could be causing this. What makes this even more difficult is that this tenant can overly exaggerate which makes finding the truth even more difficult. --206.53.xxx.xx

Likewise..with tenants claims --70.106.xx.xxx

Might be time to invoke the Happy Clause. --74.75.xxx.xxx

--12.75.xx.xxx

--98.162.xxx.xx

D --74.184.xxx.xx

Have the ductwork & THE BLOWER cleaned. Much of this stuff is in the blower & the fins of ot, doing 1 or the other will probably NOT cure the problem.This is from a person who used to do this for a living. --72.26.xx.xx

myob....actually the airport is probably about 1 mile by bird. Trying to figure out where this stuff is coming from is the mystery. The sample I have from the outlet register looks like an oily gas passed through it and left a black film or powder on the sample (almost like a rag you use while working on a car engine but not as severe). The sample I have was in place for two weeks. I appreciate all of the responses from everyone. I am going over there this afternoon to look at everything but have the feeling that everything will appear fine. --206.53.xxx.xx

I went over to the apartment and checked everything out. Conclusion: candles and smoke are causing the sooting issue. The same black soot is in the return filter and the vent outlet filter material that the tenant put in. I changed out everything and replaced the coarse return filters with high efficiency filters to help capture the junk. The other apartment next door did not have any of these issues. So this entire problem was caused by the tenant. You gotta love being a Landlord. --206.53.xxx.xx

Actually, I'm surprised Chavez isn't running the country and Al Zazeera isn't taking over the media with such marketing. If you want to uncloak an activist, light up. Now I don't smoke so all the stereotyping doesn't work, but I will condemn anyone trying to take away freedom. Freedoms to buy land and control it, freedoms to eat what you want (its your life), and so much more. No you don't get to control my life because socialized medicine. This is America and we need to protect sovereignty, Contitutional rights, and freedoms. Don't let them, get away with it. --4.229.xxx.xxx

The main point I was trying to make..LOL, candle smoke is a magnitude more carcinogenic than tobacco. The youth think foolishly avoiding tobacco is healthy only to light candles and incense. Within actuality, their choice horrible and a magnitude worse. Also, one marijuana joint equivalenancy as compared to cigarettes 20:1. Yeah, one joint like smoking a pack. So why isn't the left going berserk? Answer...no political advantage....they don't care....at least the elitist whom give the marching orders. Most of the Left totally innocent and wonderful caring folks whom are manipulated. We need to learn the lesson that politics not the solution. Lets reinvent citizenship to moral, empowerment, self sufficiency, and intelligence. --4.229.xxx.xxx

Ok you might check fan belt , could it be rubber from a chaffing black v-belt ? --70.250.xxx.xxx

We should look to government to solve problems only as the last resort. We should demand government to increase open market choice and selection as the better method to meet needs of citizens. Government should never be allowed to make direct payments to citizens. This is just to dangerous upon political corruption. Also, the payments made in behest of citizens i.e. public ed.. You see the trail of easy government money is littered with inefficiency, corruption, and yet more corruption, etc. We would be better off, just empowering citizens to succeed. This is more uplifting than advertising pathetic to gain easy money. You know the rob Peter to pay Paul method. --4.154.xxx.xxx

see reid's pulled a nancy. --75.181.xxx.xxx

Love how they just make mountains out of mole hills then want us to come move the mountain.... --163.246.xxx.xxx

--71.9.xx.xxx