3 Troublesome Heat Pump Smells in Atlanta, GA

Sometimes, dealing with a faulty heat pump stinks — literally. The good news is that the heat pump smells filling your Atlanta, GA, home may offer clues to the underlying cause. So, what’s your malodorous heating system trying to tell you?

Dank and Musty Smells

Not surprisingly, musty odors often go hand-in-hand with organic growth. Moisture tends to accumulate in and around heat pumps, especially in a warm and humid climate like Atlanta. Without proper preventive measures, the resulting environment can promote the rapid growth of spores and other microorganisms. In addition to producing unpleasant heat pump smells, this can impact indoor air quality and trigger adverse health effects.

Foul and Fishy Scents

The odor of rotten fish is unmistakable, but it can come from some surprising sources. Before you start searching your house for spoiled seafood, give your air ducts a quick sniff. If the scent’s coming from your heat pump, it might be a sign of overheating.

That’s because certain plastic components contain chemicals that emit a rank, fish-like smell when they get too hot. This is often caused by loose electrical connections or excessive friction between moving parts, especially in systems that haven’t been regularly maintained.

Acrid and Burning Odors

At the risk of stating the obvious, a burning smell is a clear sign that something is, well, burning. More specifically, heat pumps often smell hot when burning off dust. This typically happens if your air filter is dirty or you haven’t used the system in a while. If the odor doesn’t dissipate quickly or is unusually sharp and acrid, you may have a more serious problem. Pay particular attention to any smells resembling burning plastic or rubber, which could indicate a potentially hazardous electrical fault.

Still having trouble sniffing out the problem with your heat pump? Reach out to Ful-Bro Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. for professional heating repairs with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Image provided by iStock