4248 Belle Plaine #2 Downers Grove IL 60515

Causes of Bad Smells Coming From Air Ducts

Causes of Bad Smells Coming From Air Ducts

19th August, 2021

Your HVAC system works hard over the year to cool down and heat up your home. If not properly maintained, it’s not uncommon for certain unpleasant odors to be coming from the vents or air ducts. But what are the smells stemming from, and most importantly, how do you get rid of them?

Mildew Odor

If you smell something moldy or musty odor, it’s extremely important to get to the cause of it because inhaling mold can have negative implications for your health and respiratory system. Especially if you suffer from asthma, allergies, or any other respiratory illness, having clean air is vital to curb your symptom progression. A moldy smell could be stemming from in-unit condensation, too large of a unit, or bacteria growing on the coils.

Lasting Burning Smell

It’s not uncommon to smell a slight burning smell when you turn on your heat for the first time in a long time. However, if it lasts for a while or becomes stronger, it could be a sign that something more serious is wrong and needs to be tended to. It may be due to a dirty air filter, an issue with the motor wiring, or some other malfunctioning piece.

Strong Acetone Smell

If you know the smell of nail polish remover, you’ll recognize a strong acetone smell, which you should never be smelling from your HVAC unit. This could be a sign of a refrigerant leak, which makes your AC system less efficient but is also a fire hazard. An HVAC professional will be able to inspect and find if there is a leak and fix it if needed.

Smell of Rotten Eggs

If your heating system uses natural gas, then a rotten egg smell most likely means that there’s some sort of gas leak within your HVAC system. Natural gas that powers your heat has no smell to it, but has a chemical added to it that specifically smells like rotten eggs in order to warn you if there’s a potential hazardous leak.

If you smell it, it’s a warning sign to get it checked out and sealed up immediately. Make sure to turn your heat off, open all your windows, and have an HVAC technician come out as soon as possible.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Air ducts are a very necessary part of your HVAC system. If they aren’t properly cleaned out and tended to, they can start causing problems and posing hazards. Getting your HVAC system checked out by our air duct cleaners in Chicago will give you peace of mind that not only are you keeping your house comfortable and energy bills down, but you’re protecting the health and safety of you and your loved ones.

If you notice a strange smell coming from your vents, HVAC maintenance from a professional is likely needed. Don’t wait- call us today!

Contact us Today! Call us at (630) 963-2099 or submit contact form

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