Different HVAC Smells and What They Mean

When you turn your air conditioner back on in Spring, you may notice some funny smells coming from the HVAC system. You may think these smells aren’t a big deal, just a nuisance. But they can be indicators of HVAC problems, leading to serious issues if ignored.

Wondering what causes the smells? Here are the main culprits for those nasty odors emanating through your home.

Rotten Eggs

A rotten egg smell coming from the HVAC system could be a natural gas leak. It could be entering your system and seeping into your home through ductwork.

If you smell natural gas, turn off all fuel sources immediately and call 911. Don’t light any matches or attempt to turn any lights on or off. You need a professional gas technician to check for the source of the leak to prevent any explosions.

Once the leak has been dealt with, contact your local HVAC technician to check out your unit for safety reasons.

Sewage

If you have a problem with sewage smells coming from your HVAC system, there could be several causes.

You may have a clog in your drain line. This means that wastewater is backing up into your drains and sewer lines, which can cause sewage smells. If this happens, you should contact a plumber immediately because it could cause serious damage if not addressed quickly.

Your HVAC system might be located next to a fractured sewer line. You definitely don’t want sewage to leak into your home, so get these smells checked out as soon as possible.

There could a decomposing animal in your HVAC system. Small animals, like rodents, climb into pipes and vents to keep warm during winter. If they die in the system, their decomposing body produces foul smells. Again, a technician can find the problem.

Sewer-like smells can sometimes be caused by clogged air filters. Filters collect all the pollutants and emit a nasty smell if not regularly changed.

Dirty Socks

If you have a dirty sock smell coming from your air conditioner, it’s probably due to a moldy evaporator coil. This is the part of your HVAC system that cools the air before it enters your home.

The moldy smell comes from inside your unit, where moisture can build up on or around the evaporator coil. If unchecked, this can cause black spots and other damage to the coils.

The best way to prevent this problem is regular maintenance by a professional technician. They’ll check for mold and mildew throughout your system and clean all the coils and filters. No more smelly socks in your home!

Mustiness

The first thing you need to do is check the vents. If there is a musty smell coming from them, it could be that one of your ducts is not sealed correctly. This can lead to moisture build-up, which causes mold growth and a musty smell.

If this doesn’t fix the problem, you may need an HVAC professional to look at your system. The technician will be able to check to ensure that everything is working properly and that there aren’t any leaks in your ductwork. There’s also possibly something wrong with the evaporator coil or other parts of your system.

Regular HVAC tune-ups keep your system clean and in good working order, preventing mold and mildew from forming.

Electrical Odors

Electrical odors are common in heating and air conditioning systems but are often hard to diagnose. The good news is that most electrical odors are not a sign of serious problems, just annoying ones that might include:

• Electrical systems that don’t seem to be working properly
• Electrical components in the HVAC unit that have been damaged by moisture
• A problem with the thermostat or other controls

Ducts clogged with dust or debris can restrict airflow throughout your home’s HVAC system. This restriction can cause overheating and eventually cause damage to the motor coils within your unit. This damage can lead to an electrical short and give off an electrical odor when heated by the motor coils inside the unit.

If you smell burning or electrical odors from your HVAC unit, it’s time to call a professional.

Oil

The main reason you can smell oil from your HVAC system is the lubricants used in it. These lubricants are necessary for keeping the unit running smoothly and efficiently. The oils are put into place during manufacturing and then trapped within the unit’s components.

If you notice a much more pungent oil smell, there is probably an issue with one of its parts or an oil leak somewhere in the system. This requires immediate attention from a professional technician.

Struggling to find the source of your HVAC smells? Contact the HVAC pros at Service Champions and to get rid of those annoying odors.