The following remarks were made regarding the article “Contractors Discuss the State of HVAC System Odor Complaints” written by Angela D. Harris, technology editor of The NEWS, published June 10.

In the 1970s, heat pumps were touted as the energy efficient HVAC systems of the future. New markets typically have new problems, and for heat pumps the nature of the problem related to odors. A particular foul smell was so prevalent that the moniker Dirty Sock Syndrome was coined and universally accepted.

Found in both commercial and residential units, dirty sock syndrome can take a state-of-the-art heating and cooling system owner straight to their junior high gym locker days.