Why Does My HVAC Smell? Common High-Efficiency HVAC Odors & What to Do About Them
So you just bought a brand new, shiny, ultra-efficient HVAC system, and now every time you walk past your utility room, you catch a whiff of something funky. You might be wondering if it’s all in your head, but your nose knows when something is off. After investing in a high-efficiency HVAC unit, it can feel like an unexpected and unwelcome surprise when your system starts emitting an unpleasant odor.
“Dirty sock syndrome” and other odor-based problems are relatively common in high-efficiency HVAC units. Read on to discover some causes of HVAC odors and what your trusted partners at Airtron advise you to do to prevent them.
Why High-Efficiency HVAC Units are Different
There are numerous reasons for switching to a high-efficiency HVAC system. Maybe you want the cost savings that come with using less energy. Maybe you want a system that is better for the planet and reduces your carbon footprint. Maybe you just want a unit that heats and cools your home better.
High-efficiency HVAC systems can help you achieve all these goals, but you might notice a rather pungent trade-off. High-efficiency units are more prone to unpleasant odors than their traditional counterparts. But why?
How High-Efficiency HVAC Systems Work
To operate more efficiently, these units run at cooler temperatures. They also extract more moisture from the air, and generally run for longer periods of time. All of this contributes to these machines being more efficient and performing better. However, it also creates an environment in which nasty smells can thrive.
Why Odors Can be More Noticeable in These Units
Most of the time, the tendency for high-efficiency air conditioners and HVAC units to smell is due to dampness. Because they remove more moisture from the air, they create a higher level of condensation than other units. Cooler temperatures also mean the evaporator coils take longer to disburse this condensation, which can allow it to sit and grow bacteria that lead to odor.
Top Odor Issues In High-Efficiency HVAC Units
The way high-efficiency air conditioners operate is often the root cause of many of the odors you may notice, but there are different types of air conditioner smells that could be a sign of other issues.
Mold or Mildew Smell
A stale, mildewy, dirty sock smell is nearly always due to excess dampness and moisture in the unit. This could happen during more humid times of the year, or at any time if you live in a high-humidity climate. Too much condensation allows bacteria and microorganisms to grow within the unit.
Rotten Egg or Sulfur Smell
If you smell something sulfurous and eggy, chances are it is not related to dampness or moisture. Instead, you may have a natural gas leak. Because natural gas is odorless, many gas companies add sulfur or other compounds to give it a distinct, unpleasant odor.
Natural gas leaks can be dangerous, and the smell is a way to protect people inside a home from inhaling something harmful. If you notice this smell, shut off your HVAC unit and call a professional.
Burning Smell
A burning smell emitting from your air conditioner or HVAC system is very often a sign that it’s overheating. This can be caused by many issues, including a clogged filter, damage within the motor, or a blocked vent. In AC units, a refrigerant leak can also cause a burnt odor.
Must or Damp Smell
A musty smell may not be too overwhelming, but it is your first sign that you have a problem with excess moisture in your system. Musty, damp odors are a predecessor to mold and mildew, which put off a similar but stronger smell. If you catch the issue at this stage, you’re more likely to find and deal with the cause before it becomes a bigger problem.
Sewage or Garbage-Like Smell
These odors are strong and often stomach-turning, and they could indicate a variety of issues connected to your HVAC system. First, a strong sewage smell may be exactly what it smells like. You may have a backed-up pipe or plumbing problem that causes sewer gases to reroute through your ducts and into your home.
However, these smells can also be caused by other things, like a dead animal in your ductwork, or decaying food that’s fallen into your vents. Be sure to check these before calling a plumber in to assess your pipes.
Chemical or Sweet Smell
If you smell a sweet or chemical odor that reminds you of nail polish remover, you may have a refrigerant leak in your AC unit. This means that coolant may be seeping out of your air conditioner, which can cause serious problems. Refrigerant leaks are a health concern, but they also cause corrosion and major wear and tear to your HVAC system.
How to Prevent AC Smells and Odor Issues in High-Efficiency HVAC Units
No one wants a smelly home, especially if it signals a deeper problem that could cause harm to you or your property. Fortunately, you can often prevent or reverse these stinky situations with a little DIY effort.
Change Filters Regularly
Air filter clogs can back up your HVAC system and allow even more condensation to build up on the air conditioning unit. Changing filters every three months will help you keep the air clear and odor-free. If you do notice an unpleasant smell, this is the first thing you should check.
Keep Drain Lines and Drip Pans Clean
Make sure you’re regularly cleaning your evaporator coils, drains, and drip pans. If you notice that there’s too much condensation, you can also apply a growth inhibitor to all system surfaces, which will help stop the spread of bacteria.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
You should plan to have a tune-up or checkup at least once a year, so an HVAC technician can look for any potential problems before they turn into eye-watering odors.
Check for Proper Ventilation and Airflow
Clogged ducts and vents can cause some smells to move through your home, especially if a critter has gotten in, or you’ve let food or other organic matter fall into the vents. Check all vents near where you notice the smell to make sure there’s nothing stuck inside, and that air is flowing out as it should.
Use a Dehumidifier or Humidity Control
If you live in a particularly warm and humid climate, consider installing a humidity control system in your home. A dehumidifier is a great choice in areas that have high moisture content year-round. In more temperate climates, where summers are hot and humid and winters are cold and dry, a whole-house humidity system may be a better bet.
Invest in an Air Purification System
Sometimes, high-efficiency HVAC systems just smell simply because of how they operate and the qualities that make them more efficient. Sometimes this isn’t a long-term problem, but an occasional nuisance. An air purification system can help clean the air in your environment and remove pesky (but otherwise harmless) odors.
When To Call In a Professional
You can handle a lot of the ongoing maintenance of a high-efficiency HVAC system on your own, but there are times when it is critical that you ask a professional for support. When do you call in the troops?
Persistent or Strong Odors
If the odor doesn’t clear up, gets worse, or is so strong that it makes you feel uncomfortable, you’ll want to call for help. A slight musty whiff every now and then isn’t too concerning, but if it continues and worsens, it could lead to harmful mold growth.
Signs of Gas or Chemical Smells
Most of the time, these types of odors are caused by either a refrigerant leak or a natural gas leak. In both cases, if left unchecked, the odor can be harmful or potentially fatal. If you notice this type of smell, immediately shut off your unit and call a qualified technician.
HVAC Performance Issues
If your high-efficiency AC isn’t operating all that efficiently, you could have a bigger problem than just a bad smell. If you notice your unit is running for long periods of time without shutting off, or is struggling to keep your home at the proper temperature, contact an HVAC professional for an assessment.
Benefits of Regular HVAC Care for Odor Prevention
The biggest benefit of these preventative measures isn’t just a better-smelling home. Treating these issues at the source, before they become major problems, has other benefits, too. Regular care for your HVAC system will help keep the air inside your home cleaner so you can breathe easier.
It will also keep your unit running efficiently, so you lower your energy costs and have a more comfortable home. Ongoing maintenance will also lengthen the lifespan of your system, so you won’t need to replace it for years to come.
Contact Airtron To Solve HVAC Odor Problems Today!
Having a high-efficiency HVAC system that doesn’t perform as expected really stinks. Trust your nose, and then trust the company that knows HVAC. With more than 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry, Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning serves customers in Indianapolis and the surrounding Central Indiana community.
Contact us today for more information about resolving odor problems with high-efficiency HVAC units. We’re ready to help!
