As winter passes and warmer weather approaches, you will start to use your air-conditioning again. And from a lack of use during the winter, this could lead to a few strange and unexpected smells in your home.
What’s causing these odors? Here are some of the most common reasons these smells come from your HVAC system.
Rotten Eggs
The most common reason for a rotten egg smell in the home is usually a sign of a gas leak.
If you suspect a gas leak, you should immediately leave your home and call a technician as soon as possible. Natural gas can cause an explosion, so it must be dealt with quickly.
Sewage
The smell of sewage is one that no one wants to experience. Sewage smells can be associated with problems in your HVAC system, but there may be other causes, like plumbing issues.
The following are some common causes:
- Clogged drain line. If your drain line is clogged and cannot drain properly, water may be back up into the air handler, causing a foul odor.
- Dirty air filter. Dirty air filters can cause a sewage-like smell to permeate through your home.
- Sewage leak near the HVAC unit. A sewage leak’s odor can seep into the HVAC ducts, pushing the odor through the vents.
Dirty Socks
“Dirty sock syndrome” is a common problem in home HVAC systems. This is caused by the presence of mold and mildew in the ductwork. The ductwork is a part of the HVAC system which is often forgotten about when it comes to cleaning.
Mold and mildew have a smell that can spread through your entire house. They can also cause health problems for you and your family if you don’t take care of them immediately. The sock smell is not only an odor but also a sign that your ducts are not clean enough and need to be cleaned properly.
Mustiness
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, mold, or mildew, you’re not imagining things. It is a common problem with air conditioning units. This odor can be caused by many different things, but the most common cause is a lack of proper maintenance.
You should have your unit serviced at least once yearly, if not more often. If you don’t do this, dirt and other debris can build up inside your system and start to cause problems. This could result in an unpleasant odor coming through the vents in your home.
Electrical Odors
Electrical odors from the HVAC system can signify a faulty capacitor or other electrical components. The smell may be obvious, like burnt toast, or it may be more subtle.
There are several reasons why an electrical odor might be coming from your HVAC unit, including:
- The blower motor has gone bad and is shorting out. This can happen if you have a short in the wiring or if the motor itself is failing.
- The circuit board has failed and is overheating (called thermal runaway). The circuit board controls everything that happens with the blower motor and the fan speeds.
- Faulty wiring
- Overheating electrical resistance heaters
Oil
The smell of oil can be a problem in your home if it’s coming from the HVAC system. This is because the oil should be pumped into the system. Then it should be circulated throughout the compressor, evaporator, and condenser to keep them working correctly. If any of these parts are damaged or leaking, you’ll notice an odor.
The first thing you want to do is shut off your HVAC system. Then, look at all of the components that make up your HVAC system. You’ll want to check for any leaks or damage before moving forward with diagnosing where the smell is coming from.
If unsure, call a professional technician who can investigate further and find out what’s causing this problem. Doing this sooner rather than later can prevent more expensive repairs in the future.
Struggling to find the source of your HVAC smells? Contact the HVAC pros at Sierra and get rid of those annoying odors.
