One of the surest signs of a problem in your HVAC system is a strange odor. Smelly HVAC equipment can be due to a number of different issues. Here is a list of some of the more common scents and likely causes.
1. Burning Smell
Your heating system was dormant during the hot summer. When you turn it back on, the dust that accumulated on the coils will burn to produce a strange smell. This is perfectly normal and will disappear within a day or two of resuming heating. If you want to reduce the odor, you can vacuum your heating system before you turn it on for the first time.
This is likely more serious if you experience a burning plastic smell. This odor is a byproduct of melting plastic wire casing or short circuits in your electrical connections. Burning wires can cause a fire hazard. They can destroy your heating system and pose a safety risk to household members and furnishings. If you smell this, turn off your furnace or heater, and switch off the breaker to your HVAC system. Then call an electrician or HVAC technician to check it out.
2. Rotten Egg Smell
A rotten egg smell from your heating system signifies a gas leak. Gas companies treat natural gas (which is odorless in its natural state) with a pungent sulfuric substance called mercaptan to help homeowners detect leaks early on.
Inhaling natural gas can lead to nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and irregular breathing. Long-term exposure can result in poisoning, which is characterized by loss of concentration, memory problems, and suffocation.
Your immediate course of action in this instance should be to open all your windows and doors to dilute the natural gas and bring in more oxygen. Next, turn off your main gas supply. You can also turn off your electricity to prevent a spark from causing a fire. Finally, go outside with all your household members and pets, and call your gas company or a licensed professional to address the issue promptly.
It’s important to note that a rotten egg smell may also result from decomposing organic materials in your house. For example, if insects or animals get trapped inside your ductwork, they will die and rot, producing a rotten egg odor. Regular maintenance can help eradicate this issue.
3. Car Exhaust Smells
This odor can only occur in households that use gas-powered heating systems. Such systems use exhaust pipes to get rid of combustion fumes. If there is a blockage or leak in these pipes, the fumes will flow back into your home, resulting in car exhaust smells.
You can handle this issue by turning off your heating system and calling a professional to fix the blockage. In the meantime, improve ventilation to dilute the stench because combustion fumes are as dangerous as gas leaks.
4. Musty Smells
Musty odors from your heater or furnace can be due to several causes. When the smell shows up immediately after you turn on your system, you may have moisture buildup, mold, or mildew on the evaporator coil. If it persists during your heating system operation, you may also have mold in your ductwork and air filters. If the musty odor is only in one specific area of your home, you may have stagnant water or air leakage nearby.
To troubleshoot, start with your air filters. Air filters trap contaminants, dust, water particles, and other particles that encourage the growth of microorganisms. When clogged, they also restrict airflow, encouraging the musty smell to linger inside your home. Next, call a professional HVAC technician to clean your ductwork and seal any gaps. The duct system is the greatest source of musty odors inside a home. Also, don’t forget to ask them to find and fix the cause of any water leakage.
5. Chemical Odor
Often, refrigerant is located in the outdoor portion of a heat pump. A scent similar to formaldehyde may suggest a crack in your system’s heat exchanger component. This may be due to a refrigerant leak. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that only licensed and certified HVAC professionals purchase or handle refrigerant. If you catch this scent, you need to call an HVAC professional.
Call Today for More Information
If you are noticing any of these abnormal smells in Bellflower, CA or elsewhere in Los Angeles County, call Service All-Stars immediately to prevent further heating system damage. We do major and minor furnace and heater repairs, installations, and furnace maintenance services. Moreover, we can help with attic insulation and plumbing work to keep your home as cozy and efficient as possible this winter.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, get in touch with our team at Service All-Stars!
