Imagine switching on your heat pump and detecting a burning odor. What should you do? You may not need to call anyone if you can determine what’s causing the stench. If you’re still concerned because you’re not sure, switch off your heat pump and call a home furnace repair professional to come out and assess the situation.
Your heat pump could be giving off a strange odor for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most prevalent causes for you to consider to determine if one of them applies to your situation:
Burning odor. If your heat pump smells like burning plastic or rubber, you may have an electrical problem. Melting plastic on electrical lines can generate this type of odor. Electrical problems in HVAC systems can be harmful and may even result in a fire.
Musty smell. Mold is most likely forming on damp evaporator coils or in the ducting if your heat pump smells musty. Dirty sock syndrome is a term used to describe the odor of a moldy heat pump. Regular heat pump maintenance and air duct cleaning can help you avoid this issue.
Sulfurous odor. In most cases, when there’s a rotten egg smell, you most likely have a gas leak. However, your heat pump doesn’t use natural gas. If your heat pump smells like sulfur, it’s possible that a small animal died after crawling inside it for warmth. Furnace and AC repair pros can eliminate the stench by cleaning your heat pump.
Sewer smell. As previously stated, your heat pump is electric; therefore, any rotten egg odors are likely being caused by a gas leak elsewhere. This odor usually signals a problem with your sewer line. When your sewer line is damaged or your basement has a sewer backup, the odor will likely travel through your ductwork.
Fishy smell. If your heat pump smells like fish, it could be due to a number of issues, including an overheated engine, a wiring issue, melted plastic components or coatings or another technical issue. Because electrical faults are dangerous, turn off your heat pump system at the breaker box and call an HVAC specialist at once.
If you’re in need of a solution to your indoor comfort, look no further than Cooper Brothers, Inc. We offer industry-leading air conditioning, heating and air quality services that will make your home or business more efficient. We’re one of the most trusted air conditioner repair and replacement companies serving home and business owners throughout San Jose, California.
Call our experts at (408) 662-1538 to schedule an appointment or submit an online form to get started.