Bad odors are always concerning when they come from your heater. Air coming out of the vents from your heater should never have any type of odor – good or bad. It is possible that odors from elsewhere in your home filter into your heater and then blow back out of vents, but odors originating from your heater itself should always be a concern.
Give our team a call anytime you suspect bad odors inside of your heater and schedule an appointment for heating repair in Northbrook, IL. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about the causes of smells inside your heater and why each one is concerning.
Overheating and Electrical Issues
A burning smell can be very alarming. If it smells like your heater is burning up, it’s a good idea to turn the system off completely until our team can take a look at it. Don’t try to figure out the problem or troubleshoot on your own. You don’t want to risk damage caused by something overheating or an electrical problem festering.
If lubrication wears down in between intricate components, it can lead to grinding that creates a burning smell. Loose wires or too much demand on the electrical system can also create a burning smell. The bottom line is, no matter what the culprit is inside of your heater, a burning smell is never OK.
Moisture Buildup
Many heaters have a condensate drain line that collects moisture from humidity in the air and drains it outside of your home. However, if this process malfunctions for some reason or you have excessive moisture in your heater to begin with, moisture may begin developing inside of your heater. Mold thrives in a moist dark environment, and your heater is at risk for mold if there is any moisture at all.
It’s possible that the air from the system smells damp, which can be an early sign of moisture buildup. If the air begins to smell musty or sour, mold may already be present and our team needs to clean out the system thoroughly to address the issue. You may also have to invest in indoor air quality services to prevent the mold from spreading to other areas of your home.
Rotten Eggs
This odor is usually attributable to a gas leak. Keep in mind that natural gas doesn’t actually have an odor of its own. However, most service providers do add an odor to their natural gas supply so that leaks are easier to detect.
You should also have carbon monoxide detectors in place if you have gas lines in case your gas supply doesn’t have an added smell. If you notice a rotten egg smell, call for service right away so that we can pinpoint a gas leak and get it fixed. We want your family can stay healthy and for your heater to operate safely.
Chemical Odors
A chemical smell is especially concerning if you have a heat pump. Heat pumps warm up your home by cycling refrigerant through secure lines. But if the refrigerant lines get damaged for any reason and refrigerant leaks out, you may notice a chemical-like odor coming from the unit.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak, don’t attempt to clean it up or address it on your own. Instead, leave the task to our team of professionals. Refrigerant can be dangerous to handle, potentially burning your lungs if you breathe it in and your skin if you touch it.
Contact Roberts Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. today to schedule your heater service appointment as soon as possible.