What That Weird HVAC System Smell Means
If you notice any weird and unpleasant smells coming from your home HVAC system, it may be your system’s way of telling you that something is wrong! What does your particular HVAC smell mean? Well, the most common smells customers complain about are a foul, rotten eggs smell, a musty smell, and a burning smell.
Each of these smells hints at very different HVAC problems, so make sure you are paying attention to what you are smelling, what it could mean, and how a highly trained professional could help you. Call Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for any HVAC services you need.
Rotten Egg Smell = Gas
If you smell something akin to rotten eggs in your house (assuming, of course, that you don't have actual rotten eggs in your home) the smell is likely coming from a gas leak in your HVAC system.
Prolonged exposure to natural gas and carbon monoxide can lead to headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, upset stomach, and eventually, death.
If you suspect a gas leak, open all the windows in order to dissipate the gas and air out the house. Without turning anything on or off, quickly evacuate the house. Do not use any electronic devices, or start your car, as the gas in the air could cause an explosion. Once you are safely away from your house, call the gas company and explain the situation.
Musty Smell = Mold
A musty smell coming from the air vents around your home may signify an accumulation of moisture in your air ducts, making them a breeding ground for mold.
Mold in your home can agitate health conditions like allergies, or asthma. Call a trusted HVAC company for a duct cleaning to take care of musty air ducts.
The smell can also be coming from within your heating or AC unit. When the unit's drip pan, which catches excess moisture from condensation, is full or becomes clogged, it can cause excess moisture to collect inside the unit. Again, a simple cleaning of the drip pan can help to keep that moisture out of your HVAC unit.
Burning = Overheating
If you smell something in your HVAC system burning the first time you turn it on in a while, there’s nothing to worry about. The smell is probably coming from an accumulation of dust that has settled in various areas of your heating unit over the summer.
Once the dust has all burned away, the smell will dissipate. If the smell lasts more than a few minutes and doesn’t go away, the problem can be easily fixed by cleaning your unit, changing the air filter, replacing a part that has become worn out, or lubricating the bearings. Don’t delay in having your HVAC systems undergo maintenance!
The longer the unit has to run under less-than-ideal conditions, the higher the chances that it will need more costly repairs. For example, if a simple tune-up doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to replace the fan motor or, in extreme cases, the entire unit.
