Why Does My HVAC Unit Smell Bad?

Your HVAC system is one of the most-used appliances in your home, and any issues can quickly become serious problems if they are not dealt with quickly. One of the tell-tale signs of a developing issue is a strong, strange smell coming from your heater or air conditioner. Not only does this make life at home unpleasant but it could be an indicator of a potentially serious issue that may only get worse with continued use. What does your strange smell mean? Read our blog and find out.

Burning Smell With the First Heat of the Season

We want to discuss this one first for an important reason. Did you just turn on your heater for the first time in a while? If so, you may smell a strange, burning odor throughout your home. Rest assured though, this is entirely normal. This smell is caused by dust settling on your heating coil through the idle months. This dust then burns up when you turn your heating coil back on, leading to the odor. If you open some windows for a few minutes, the odor should dissipate quickly. If it doesn’t, or continues with repeated uses, then your issue may be more serious, and you should call to schedule an inspection.

Damp & Musty Smells

Do you smell mold or mildew coming from your vents, particularly when you turn on your air conditioner? The bad news is what you’re smelling is probably exactly that: mold or mildew. Moisture can form from blocked drainage tubes, poor insulation, or even old, leaky ductwork. This is an extremely dangerous issue that should be corrected as soon as possible. You will also need to undergo a thorough cleanup because mold or mildew spores being spread throughout your home is a serious health hazard.

Smoke Smell

If your heater or air conditioner suddenly starts emitting a strong smoke smell for seemingly no reason, this is a sign of a major issue, and you should discontinue using them right away. This can usually be traced back to a mechanical or electrical problem with your HVAC system, such as an overheated part or electrical short. If you suddenly smell smoke, shut off your system and check the unit outside. If you see or smell smoke, schedule a repair immediately and do not turn your system back on.

Other Smoke Smell

If you smoke or live with a smoker then it’s easy to become immune to the smell of tobacco, so you may not notice it circulating throughout your home. However, those who move into a new home that was previously owned by a smoker may notice an immediate tobacco smoke smell when turning on their heater or air conditioner. This is because the smell of stale smoke can create a film that attaches to the condenser coils and air ducts. The air then picks up the odor of this smoke smell when the HVAC systems are turned on and spreads the smell throughout the home. To eliminate this smell, call an HVAC professional and schedule a duct and system cleaning service.

If you are experiencing a strange smell coming from your HVAC system, the Murrieta HVAC professionals at Correy Baker Heating & Air can provide you with high-quality workmanship and reasonable prices. We offer 24/7 emergency services because we understand that air conditioning and heating issues do not always occur during normal business hours. We offer more than 25 years of experience, and pride ourselves on offering all of our customers the same great service and quality workmanship with each project or appointment.