Your home shouldn’t smell bad moments after you turn on your HVAC system, but it’s an issue you’ve likely run into one time or another. Below are some remedies that can be solved at home or by calling a Plumber in Gilbert.
Here are some common reasons for the odor(s) wafting through your unit and some things you can do to alleviate the issue.
The Odor: Cigarette Smoke
There’s nothing more embarrassing than wanting to have company over while your house smells like a local dive bar. This is a common issue, especially if your house is a little older, or if the previous owners smoked cigarettes inside the house. What most likely happened is the smoke odor accumulated in the evaporator coil and filter.
The Remedy: Change the filter and schedule a cleaning of the evaporator coil.
The Odor: Burning Smell
This is one of the most common odors that will come through an HVAC unit. If it’s been a while since you’ve turned it on, it could simply be dust settling. On the other hand, it could be a mechanical problem, which could mean a motor overheating or a wiring issue. In this case, it’s important to contact the fire department or a local HVAC professional to check it out.
The Remedy: Switch the unit off and make sure the burning smell isn’t coming from the actual HVAC equipment. If it is, contact the fire department right away.
The Odor: Mildew and Mold
A musty smell is also a common issue with HVAC units. This is commonly due to excess moisture accumulating within the system. The last thing you want is for mold or mildew to continue to accumulate and potentially harming the rest of your home along with the unit.
The Remedy: Purchase a dehumidifier that will cover the entire home and schedule bi-annual HVAC tune-ups.
The Odor: Locker Room Smell
Otherwise known as dirty sock syndrome, this odor is often caused by stagnant water or bacteria collecting and growing on the coils. This can happen when temperatures drop below 40 degrees and the heat pumps begin to defrost, or something else is preventing the water from properly draining.
The Remedy: Schedule a professional cleaning or use home remedies to clean the drain pipe within your HVAC system.
The Odor: Rotten Garbage
This odor in particular might prompt you to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. It is likely stemming from a critter that has died inside of the unit and has begun to decompose.
The Remedy: Contact an HVAC or pest control professional to remove the rodent.
The Odor: Rotten Eggs
This is an odor that should never be ignored as it could mean gas is leaking. Natural gas is typically odorless, but manufacturers are required to add a chemical called mercaptan so that the gas resembles the smell of rotten eggs.
The Remedy: Contact the gas company right away for an inspection.
The last thing you want to do is cover up the smell or mask it and avoid the issue altogether. Odors wafting through your HVAC system are a sign that something might not be right and needs to be addressed. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to HVAC odors.
