Identifying and Eliminating HVAC Odors - Bozeman, MT

Identifying and Eliminating HVAC Odors – Bozeman, MT

August 3, 2022

Identifying and Eliminating HVAC Odors – Bozeman, MTYou rely on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable throughout the year. HVAC systems usually don’t produce unpleasant or strange odors when they’re running correctly. If your system’s air output has an unusual smell, you’ll need to identify the cause. This article discusses several common causes of HVAC odors and how to eliminate them.

Chemical Odor

If your air conditioner has a distinct chemical odor, it may contain a buildup of off-gassed VOCs from everyday household products and materials. Ask your HVAC professional about installing a ventilation system to exhaust stale air and replace it with fresh air or installing an air-cleaning unit to eliminate the chemical smell.

Rotten Egg Smell

The smell of rotten eggs or sulfur most likely indicates a natural gas leak. Although natural gas is odorless, most utility providers add the aroma to alert people of a leak. Don’t take this lightly. Open the windows to your home, get out of the house immediately, and then call the gas company.

Lingering Scents

A permeating smell of cigarettes or wet dogs may be unpleasant but isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. HVAC systems can pick up on odors and hold them onto them in the filter. To get rid of unwanted scents, simply change your air filter. A professional cleaning may also be required in more severe cases.

Burning Oil Smell

When you first turn on the heater, it can smell like burning gas. During the summer, dust settles within the HVAC on the heat exchanger. When the furnace is turned on, the dust gets burned off. If the smell isn’t coming from the vents, it’s most likely a leak at a pipe fitting or within the equipment.

Don’t attempt to fix this problem on your own. Instead, call your HVAC contractor to find the leak and make repairs.

Musty or Moldy Odor

Mold or mildew odors are probably the most common HVAC problems. When running, the AC unit produces a lot of condensation. If the moisture doesn’t drain properly, it can escape into the ducts and cause mold. Finding the mold buildup and cleaning it up will solve the problem.

An experienced HVAC technician will know how to handle the mold problem and ensure that it doesn’t recur. Although musty or moldy smells are not a problem with the unit, poor indoor air quality can cause respiratory issues. Don’t put off repairs. 

Sewage Odor

If you smell sewage when you turn on your A/C unit, your sewer system may have backed up into your house or near your unit, and the smell may come from a ruptured pipe. Sewer gas contains methane, which can make it explosive if enough is gathered in an area.

If the sewer odor comes from the condensate drain line in your outside heating unit, this signifies that the condensate drain line could have been tied into your home’s main drainage line.

If the line is not adequately vented or trapped, the sewer or septic tank gas can travel back to the A/C unit and be pumped into the duct system.

A trap will need to be installed on the line to prevent this from occurring. Contact your HVAC contractor immediately if you notice a sewage smell or detect methane in your home.  

Dead Critter Stench

It is not uncommon for raccoons, squirrels or birds to get stuck inside your ducts or vents and die. Even if the critter gets stuck in the wall or attic, the horrible smell will circulate throughout your home via the air system.  If you think a dead animal may be stinking up your home, call in a professional to investigate. 

Electrical Smell

If your HVAC system smells like it might be overheating, turn it off before trying to diagnose the problem. If the air filter is overly dirty, this can restrict airflow and overheat the electric resistance heaters. If the problem isn’t with the air filter, turn off the electricity at the master switch.

An HVAC technician should be called to inspect and repair the problem. An electrical odor is usually caused by a problem with the motor or wiring. Attempting to fix either of these items can result in severe injuries.

The first few times the heater kicks on in the fall, it may emit a burning odor that can smell electrical and dusty. If you’re just turning on your heater, this could be a problem that’ll eventually resolve on its own.

After 20 to 30 minutes, check to see if the electrical smell dissipates. If so, it was probably just dust burning off. If the smell persists, your HVAC technician should inspect your system and make repairs.  

You can trust our Nate-certified service technicians at Comfort Systems of Montana to find and eliminate whatever HVAC odor is causing you woe.

Maintaining Good Indoor Air Quality – Bozeman, MT  

One of the easiest ways to maintain good indoor air quality involves regularly changing your HVAC system’s filter. It’s an easy task that can help your system function more efficiently and prevent particle pollutants and unpleasant odors from recirculating in your home’s air supply.  

Your system’s filter should be changed at least every 90 days. If you have pets, you should change the filter every 60 days. And If anyone in your home has allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues, you should change the filter every 30 to 45 days.

You must also balance your home’s humidity, eliminate bacteria, and refresh your home’s air supply to maintain good indoor air quality. Indoor air quality products you may want to consider:

  • Humidifiers – add moisture to air that’s too dry.
  • Air purifiers-  eliminate the smallest particle pollutants 
  • Energy recovery ventilators – exhaust stale air and replace it with fresh air 

Your Trusted HVAC Contractor – Bozeman, MT

Contact Comfort Systems of Montana to learn more about how our humidifiers, air purifiers, and energy recovery ventilators can improve your indoor air quality.

If you need an HVAC repair or replacement, we happily service home and business owners in Big Sky, Bozeman, Belgrade, Livingston, West Yellowstone, and surrounding communities.

We work with all makes and models of HVAC equipment, and we’re a Factory-Authorized Carrier Dealer. Be sure to ask about our compressive maintenance program to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently.

When you sign up for our Comfort Club Membership, we’ll inspect and clean your system and replace the filters. If you need home heating and A/C repairs, we’ll complete those for an additional price.

Founded in 1999, Comfort Systems of Montana is a family-owned and operated HVAC company that offers complete heating and cooling solutions. Schedule your comfort appointment today!

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NATE CERTIFIED

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