Help! Why Does The HVAC System Smell So Bad?

The purpose of your HVAC system is to control and regulate the temperature of the air in your home. From time to time, it is not uncommon for the air coming out of your vents to start to smell a little funky. While there are some odors that are temporary and harmless, there are other odors that could be a sign of a bigger problem. As a homeowner, it is important for you to better understand what certain odors could mean.

Do You Smell Smoke?

Your home should never suddenly fill with smoke smell. The unfortunate truth is this is almost always a red flag as it usually means there is an issue with the electrical or mechanic components of your air conditioning unit. There are so many moving parts which make up your air conditioning unit, and moving parts can overheat or seize up. This is especially true if it has been a while since your unit received any kind of maintenance.

If you smell smoke or it smells like something is burning, you need to turn your air conditioning unit off. Take a look at the thermostat and go check the condenser. If you still smell any smoke (or if you see any smoke), you shouldn't use your air conditioner until you can have a professional take a look at it. The smell and/or sight of smoke means your air conditioning unit could be at risk of catching on fire.

What About a Tobacco Smell?

If you have someone who lives in your home and smokes inside of the home, there is not a lot you can do about the smell of tobacco being everywhere. This is because your HVAC system is going to circulate the smoke and smell throughout your entire home. The stale smell of the tobacco smoke can even become attached to your condenser coil and your ventilation ducts.

The only time this is really a problem is when a family without smokers or a family with smokers who only smoke outside move into a home that was previously owned by people who smoked inside of the home. In this situation, you are going to need HVAC technicians to come out and use special cleaning methods and tools to clean your HVAC system. They can clean the ducts, the coils, and the entire system to get the smell out of your home. If you (or someone in your family) happens to have allergies or asthma, it may not be a bad idea to have HVAC technicians come out and clean your HVAC system and ducts on a regular basis regardless of if smoke is or is not a problem.

What About a Damp or Musty Smell?

If your HVAC system is circulating a damp or musty smell, it is possible there is mold or mildew growing on your condenser coils or in the ductwork. The mold or mildew is going to have to be killed by a professional and the HVAC system will need to be cleaned to get rid of the smell. This isn't a problem you want to ignore as your HVAC system could be spreading mold and mildew spores around your home and causing it to grow in various places in your home.

As you can see, gross smells coming from your air conditioning can be problematic, but they can also be fixed with the help of a professional. If you notice weird smells coming from your HVAC system, don't be shy about calling a technician, like one from CNR Air Conditioning Inc, for help.


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