In the upcoming winter season, you might be looking forward to spending your time in a cozy environment by turning on your heating system. It’s all good until your HVAC system starts giving off a smell, making the environment uncomfortable. It is especially troublesome if despite your scheduled maintenance and HVAC services, your system still gives off a smell.
The smell usually indicates that there might be an underlying problem that you have been ignoring for months. And now the issue is worsening. There are many heating problems, but smell is one of the most disturbing ones.
An unpleasant smell coming out of your HVAC system is the last thing you want to experience in winter. Nobody wants to come home to a smelly HVAC system after spending a long day at work.
This blog post will help you find the causes of the smell in your HVAC system and what you can do about it.
Dust In The Filters
HVAC systems contain filters that clean the air before passing it indoors. If there is dust and other particles in your filters, your HVAC system will have to work harder. Moreover, when you turn your HVAC system on, this dust begins to burn off, causing a plastic burning smell.
This is a musty smell, you can get rid of it by regular HVAC cleaning. When your filters are clean, there will be no dust on them, and thus, they will perform efficiently.
Metallic Smell
If you smell something like a metallic smell, it might be because some component inside your HVAC system is burning. This smell will be similar to the burning of hot plastic, oil, or rubber. It can be quite dangerous if left unnoticed. Therefore, it is important to call a professional HVAC contractor who can safely solve the issue for you.
Rotten Egg Smell
If you smell something like a rotten egg, it might be due to a gas leak. Natural gas and propane are odorless and colorless in their original state. Methyl mercaptan is also a colorless gas that is added to these gases to create a smell. This organic compound has a strong smell as that of a rotten egg or a cabbage.
If you smell something like this, check if there is a gas leakage problem in your home. If there’s a gas leak, call an HVAC repair service at once to fix this issue before it is too late.
Damaged Electrical Wiring
Your HVAC can degrade in its function and quality with time, if you have been using it for quite some time and have not properly maintained it, damaged wires should not surprise you.
Another cause of smell coming out of your HVAC system is damaged electrical wiring. General wear and tear over time, or incorrect installation can damage your HVACs wirings and make them exposed.
If you turn your HVAC on for long hours, these wires can start giving a burning smell. This damage can also cause a cracked heat exchanger, the blower motor overheating, or various other problems.
Therefore, it is better to get your HVAC checked by a professional HVAC contractor and replace your wiring before they further damage something else.
Moldy Smell
A moldy smell coming out of your HVAC system is another critical issue. This smell indicates a potential mold infestation inside the ductwork that needs immediate action. Mold infestation should not be taken lightly as it affects your indoor air quality causing many problems such as coughing and sneezing.
How To Avoid Smells In Your HVAC System?
The best way to deal with a smell and avoid it in your HVAC system is to schedule regular maintenance for it. Regular maintenance and repairs of your HVAC system keep it in good condition. It helps to identify any problem in the initial stages so that you can fix it. Also, keep your filters clean to avoid dust buildup.
About Nor-Can Heating & Air
Nor-Can Heating & Air offers services to make sure your heating and cooling systems are working properly throughout the year. We are a professional heating and cooling services company in Edmonton, Alberta, adding value to your air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems through energy-efficient HVAC products and specialized services. Contact us for more information.
