A clean, fresh smelling home is a welcoming place, so it can be frustrating when you’ve gone to the trouble of keeping your home clean, only to find there is a pervasive odor coming from somewhere. When they are running properly HVAC systems don’t produce strange or strong odors, but if there is a problem, your HVAC system could be the source of that unpleasant smell.
How to Identify Your HVAC System as the Source of Odors
When there is a strange smell in your home, you may find yourself trying to follow your nose and locate the source of the odor. Since your HVAC system has vents in practically every area of your home, it can make confirming the source of a smell even trickier.
So, you will need to work by process of elimination. If the odor is limited to your kitchen or a bathroom, it may be a problem with your drains. Alternatively, you may notice the smell is stronger around one of your appliances. On the other hand, if the smell appears in multiple rooms, or you only notice it after your HVAC system has been running, it is likely to be due to your HVAC system.
Easy to Fix Smells
There are some smells inside your HVAC system that may seem unpleasant, but are actually quite easy to fix. For example, if there is a musty or mildew smell coming from the HVAC unit, it could be due to excess water building up due to poor draining. These odors can occur if there is an accumulation of moisture. The first thing to try is changing the filter, which may correct the problem, since a clogged filter can attract moisture and fail to allow proper airflow. If this does not correct the problem, you may need to speak to your HVAC technician about cleaning the ductwork.
Another unpleasant odor that is easy to fix is if there is a rotting garbage smell. This is likely to be due to a dead rodent or bird trapped in the ductwork. This is a common problem and your HVAC technician can easily source and remove the debris.
If there is a smell of old cigarette smoke, it could be due to a smoker previously being in the house. Smoke fumes can linger, particularly on the evaporator coil. Cleaning the coil can immediately freshen up the air in your HVAC system and your home.
Finally, a smell of oil is likely due to an oil leak somewhere in the system. Your HVAC technician may need to tighten a fitting in the tank, filter or oil line to correct the leak. If the technician cannot find a leak, they will then check if the oil burners are working properly. If there is a fault, it may be causing an oily smell that can be quickly corrected.
Potentially Harmful Issues
In some cases, a smell can be a sign of a potentially dangerous issue with your HVAC system. If you notice a rotten egg like smell, it could be a sign that you have a gas leak close to the air ducts. This is a serious issue and you will need to leave your house immediately. Do not attempt to turn any devices, lights or electrical equipment on or off. Call your gas company and your HVAC technician and wait outside until the gas company declares it safe for you to go back inside your home.
A sewage smell may indicate that there is a backed up sewer line close to the ductwork. If this occurs, it needs immediate attention from a qualified technician. Sewage smells occur due to the presence of methane and this gas can fill the space and be highly dangerous. Additionally, if the sewer line completely backs up, you may need to deal with waste and water spilling into your home. This is not only unpleasant, but it could expose your family to bacteria, germs and other potentially harmful hazards.
Burning smells may indicate mechanical problems inside your HVAC unit. A motor or fan component may have burned out, which could not only lead to costly repairs, but also represents a fire risk. If you notice this type of smell, shut off the system and check for any burning smells close to the equipment. Place a call to your HVAC technician to address the problem. Don’t delay or ignore the odor as it will not correct itself and could trigger a cascade failure, with a far more expensive repair bill.
Eliminating HVAC Smells
While it can be tempting to ignore a mildly unpleasant smell from your HVAC system, these issues rarely resolve themselves. In most instances, the smell is likely to get worse and the underlying issue could also become more serious.
Fortunately, it is possible to eliminate the source of many HVAC smells yourself. By cleaning your equipment and ensuring any holes in the ductwork are patched, you can minimize the risk of mold and mildew, and also stop birds, rodents and other pests entering your HVAC system.
You can also address issues quickly if you are vigilant about checking regularly for any sources of smells such as mold, dead rodents or water leaks. This will allow you to spot any potential issues before they can develop into a serious problem and take the appropriate action.
You can also enlist the help of your local HVAC technician. Regular maintenance and servicing can provide an opportunity for preventative maintenance. An experienced technician will be able to detect any drainage issues and correct them before excess water can accumulate and create an ideal environment for mold and mildew.
If you notice any unusual smells, noises or smoke from your HVAC system, be sure to call your local HVAC technician immediately. If you have concerns about any odors in your HVAC system, you can rely on a professional and experienced technician to determine the source of the odor and underlying issue to provide a solution.