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When your HVAC system turns on to cool down or warm up your home in Sacramento, it should not give off any odors. If it does, then it means you have an issue somewhere within the system. The severity level of the problem depends on the particular odor; having said that, it’s important never to ignore weird smells. Always schedule service with professional technicians for this type of issue. Below, learn more about some of the smells your HVAC system can give off and how to handle them.
Rotten Egg Smell
If you have a gas HVAC system and you start noticing an odor reminiscent of rotten eggs, it means you have a gas leak. Since natural gas has no odor, utility companies add in this rotten egg odor to make homeowners aware of when there’s an issue with their comfort systems.
A gas leak is a serious issue, so reach out to an HVAC company like Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation right away for service. To help alleviate the smell before the technicians arrive, you can open your windows. However, it’s wise not to wait around inside your home just in case. If you also know how to shut off the gas, you can do this. Otherwise, wait for the experts to arrive.
Burning Odor
Like the rotten egg smell, a burning odor is usually a sign of a serious problem requiring immediate assistance. It can mean there’s an electrical issue with your HVAC equipment. Turn off the power and call in the professionals. This burning can also mean you have a burned-out motor. If you’ve run your air conditioner or heater much harder than usual, you risk burning the system out through overuse.
If you fail to clean or replace the air filter every three months or so, dust and dirt can build up on it, making it more difficult for air to get pushed through. Your AC or heater will then have to strain harder to work like normal; a result of this overwork is the potential burned-out motor just mentioned.
One important thing to note is that the one instance where a burning smell is considered “normal” is when you turn on your system after months of sitting idle. Dust can settle inside the system when it hasn’t been used in a while. When you then switch the system on, it will give off what seems like burning for a bit. This should eventually subside. However, if it doesn’t, then contact a professional for assistance.
Musty Odors
Mustiness generally results from mildew or bacteria built up somewhere inside the workings of the equipment. Too much condensation can leak into the ducts, which then causes mold to grow. You’ll then start smelling what seems like dirty socks. To remedy this situation, your local HVAC company can send out technicians to clean out your system.
Vinegar Odors
This strong smell usually comes from a few things. It can mean the air filter is too dirty and needs either a cleaning or a replacement. Your system might have a buildup of moisture inside it, or you could have mold growing somewhere.
A more serious concern when you notice what seems like a vinegar, or a chemical-type of smell, is a refrigerant leak from your air conditioner. It takes a trained and certified technician to handle refrigerant issues, and this is something you can’t actually check for. If you think you have a refrigerant leak, call in the professionals immediately. Your system might just need a coolant refill, or your AC needs some repair work. Either way, let the experts take care of this problem.
Dead Animal Smells
Sometimes, small animals can find their way inside your system or ducts and then get trapped. Unfortunately, these poor creatures can then end up dying. You’ll soon start to notice a pretty powerful odor coming from the decaying animal. Have your system and ducts checked out and cleaned if this is the case.
Smell of Ammonia
Occasionally, you may notice the smell of ammonia from your HVAC unit. This can result from toxins produced by mold growing within your system. This smell is sort of akin to cat urine, which can be quite unpleasant when it wafts throughout your home. Reach out to the professionals to perform a system inspection and cleaning.
The Importance of Routine Maintenance
If you’ve suddenly started smelling weird or unusual odors given off by your heating or cooling unit, you can make an appointment to have repair work done to address the issue. However, it’s also crucial to have regular tune-ups performed to try and prevent the issues that cause odors from happening in the first place.
Routine maintenance can help spot things like low refrigerant, misaligned or loose belts or parts, and dirty lines. Your service professional will find these problems and take care of them during the tune-up. Doing this helps prevent smaller issues from ballooning into larger, more serious problems that might end up causing extensive damage. If you don’t use your AC in the spring or your heater in the fall, these are ideal times to have maintenance done to get your units prepared for summer and winter, respectively.
Look for Other Signs You Need HVAC Repair
Besides the aforementioned odors, there are lots of other signs your HVAC system will show that indicate you need repair work. If your utility bills start increasing at an alarming rate, despite the normal usage of your HVAC system, then you most likely have an issue that a technician needs to investigate. Your AC or furnace could be losing its efficiency and trying to work harder to cool or warm your home.
Pay attention to strange sounds your system makes. Through normal operation, your HVAC equipment should make what sounds like a low hum. Any other noise indicates a problem. Definitely have a technician come over to your home and check your devices out if you hear things like rattling, squealing, hissing, banging, or grinding.
Some of the more obvious signs you may need HVAC repair include inefficient cooling or heating, increased humidity levels, and short cycling, which is when the system turns on and off too much before reaching the end of a normal cycle. Also, consider the age of your HVAC unit. If it’s older than 15 years or so, then it’s most likely not going to work as well as it did when it was newer. Systems naturally start to wear down over time. If you keep having to make repair appointments to fix your system, it might make more sense to look into getting an HVAC installation or replacement.
Your HVAC Experts in Sacramento
If your air conditioner or furnace needs some repair work, rely on the locally owned and operated Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation for quality, efficient service. We’re all about putting customers first, and we’ll make your comfort our highest priority when we’re working on your system. In addition to repairs, we offer installation and maintenance services for heating and cooling systems. We can also help with insulation and your home’s water heater, and we can install whole-house fans.
For HVAC system repairs in Sacramento, please call us at Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation to set up your appointment.
