Heat pumps are designed to your house warm or cool depending on the season. May it be hot or cold outside, you can rely on your HVAC unit to make the temperature comfortable enough for everyone to function normally. But, sometimes, heat pump experience unexpected complications such as smelling bad. Now, many things can cause your heat pump to smell bad so it’s better to get help from an HVAC repair service for determining the cause and fixing it. However, if you want to troubleshoot it, here are some common reasons your heat pump may be smelling bad.
Heat Pump Smells And Their Meaning
Heat Pump Smells Like A Vehicle’s Exhaust
Although HVAC units do not come with combustion engines that produce exhaust gases, there have been cases where business owners have complained about their HVAC units smelling like a vehicle’s exhaust. The primary reason your unit might smell like that is due to a leaking refrigerant.
The refrigerant is what flows inside the coils of the heat pump. If it leaks for some reason, it releases chemical fumes in the air and may also react with particles in the air to smell like exhaust. Plus, leaking refrigerant can also cause health problems like respiratory issues.
Constant exposure to leaking refrigerant can result in respiratory issues. If your heat pump emits a chemical-like smell, you should immediately shut it down and consult an expert. In the meantime, open your windows and doors and let the refrigerant ventilate. This will help prevent any hazardous leaks from causing a fire or other serious situations.
Heat Pump Emits A Burning Smell
Heat pumps consist of a network of electrical components that work as a team to perform cooling and heating functions. If any of these go bad, the entire unit would suffer. A burning smell coming from a heat pump is a common but dangerous sign. So, if you sense a burning smell, shut down the heat pump and consult an expert.
A burning-like smell is usually produced due to burning wires. It could also be that a component is overheating. Furthermore, if your unit has been sitting dormant for a while, layers of dust and dirt might have settled, trapping heat.
As the temperature increases, the dirt and dust burn as well resulting in a burning odor. But this is temporary and not something to be worried about. You will need to make sure you thoroughly inspect and clean the unit.
It would be better to hire an expert for the task as they possess the tools and techniques to thoroughly clean HVAC units.
Heat Pump Smells Like Rotten Eggs
Another common smell in HVAC units is rotten eggs. There are several reasons contributing to the issue but in most cases, it is caused due to dead rodents and other animals. The thing is that during the winter season when HVAC units are not frequently used, these uninvited guests tend to take up accommodation when the unit has been sitting dormant for a while.
But the problem is that once they welcome themselves in, they are not able to get out. Loss of oxygen and food eventually leads to their death. So, if you observe that your heat pump has suddenly started to smell bad, especially like a dead animal, it most likely means something inside is dead.
You have to keep in mind that these animals can die in extremely tight places and can be difficult to remove. In such cases, you will need to consult an expert.
Heat Pump Smelling Like Dirty Socks
If your HVAC system smells like dirty socks or feet, it means mold or bacteria growth within the system has taken place. This unpleasant odor occurs when moisture accumulates on the evaporator coils and does not drain properly.
At the same time, the dark and damp environment provides the perfect breeding ground for both mildew and bacteria. Then again, there could be several reasons contributing to moisture accumulation on the evaporator coils.
But this issue is also common in areas where humidity is irregularly high. Plus, this smell mostly occurs when the heat pumps switch between heating and cooling modes. To eliminate the order, the first thing you are going to do is clean the evaporator coils.
Even though it’s fairly easy to do so by using a cleaning agent and a soft cloth, you should entrust a professional to do it.
Heat Pump Smells Like Cigarettes
Smoke infiltration is an ignored factor that could cause your HVAC unit to smell like cigarette smoke. Once you or multiple people smoke indoors, the odor can stick to the walls, furniture carpet, etc. and it can be hard to get rid of.
As you and or any other person in the house smokes, the odors from the excess smoke may be pushed into the evaporator coil of the system. This odor will penetrate the coil and the smell will be pushed into your home each time your HVAC unit is turned on.
To remove cigarette smell from your house, you will need to call in a technician who can sanitize the evaporator coil along with the other compartments. Plus, you might also need to get the carpets, rugs, and other items washed.
In the future, you should ensure that the family members do not smoke indoors and designate an outdoor space for smoking if they have to. You may think that a pack or two won’t make any difference but it will once others in the house start to become irritated by the smell.
This could be a problem for those who are allergic and are already suffering from respiratory issues.
Heat Pump Is Producing A Musty Smell
A musty smell is usually due to mold growth inside the HVAC system. The most common reason why this happens is when the drain line gets clogged, the moisture accumulates and leads to mold growth. So, clean the drain line and have your unit inspected for mold.
Lack Of Maintenance
No matter how much you stress it but still, some people tend to underestimate the importance of maintenance. Professional maintenance is key to ensuring the smooth functioning and longevity of the unit. Because heat pumps do not come cheap, you should invest in them to make the most of them in the future.
HVAC units like other commercial appliances need regular professional maintenance. Most people believe professional maintenance is only limited to cleaning, which they can do themselves but ignoring the fact that it also involves inspection.
Inspecting the HVAC unit allows the professionals to thoroughly check for cracks, damages, and leakages. This helps them fix the issues on the spot rather than working on it when the issue turns worse and damages other components as well.
Scheduling professional maintenance is a small price to pay to keep HVAC complications at bay.
Conclusion
A bad-smelling heat pump can easily be avoided if you were to follow the tips mentioned above. If your HVAC unit does start to smell bad, the information will help identify the cause, allowing you to act accordingly. If possible, try consulting heat pump repair services McLean and do not try to access sensitive areas of the unit as you can not only damage the unit but also injure yourself.
