When running properly, your heat pump in Odessa, TX, shouldn’t emit any noticeable odors. Even faint odors may signal something needs attention before the problem escalates. This guide examines some common heat pump odors and what they mean.
Burning Smell
Electrical issues can affect any part of your heat pump, causing the insulation to melt and rubber to burn. This may result in an electrical burning smell or a burning rubber smell. If you think there’s an electrical issue, shut the system down and call to schedule heat pump repair services.
Chemical Odor
A heat pump depends on refrigerant to absorb and move heat into or out of your home. Like air conditioners, heat pumps have a risk of leaking refrigerant from damaged coils, lines or the compressor. A leak inside your home may smell oily or like a strong chemical odor and requires professional repair.
Metallic Smell
Overheating usually happens at one of the fan motors, the compressor or electrical connections. Overheating may indicate the system may be drawing too much power, posing an electrical fire hazard. What you may smell is an electrical or metallic burning smell, often compared to burning plastic or smelly fish.
Musty Scent
Bacteria can build up in any place with continuous moisture over time, resulting in a musty smell. In your heat pump, this can occur at your indoor coil, the condensate drain or your air filter. A service technician deep cleans your coils and condensate drain and checks your filter during routine maintenance to prevent this buildup.
Dirty Socks
Household rodents sometimes enter your heat pump or ducts and then die. The result is an unpleasant sulfur smell as your unit circulates air. Depending on the state of decay, this may need special removal precautions best left to trained professionals.
Regardless of the smell, seek to find the source quickly to prevent more extensive damage to your heat pump system. Call to schedule a heat pump maintenance appointment with one of our NATE-certified service technicians at (WTR) West Texas Refrigeration.
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