Diagnosing 4 Common Heat Pump Odors in England, AR

Heat pumps should never emit any noticeable odors during a heating or cooling cycle. A foul smell is a sign of trouble that indicates your system needs prompt service. These are some of the most common heat pump odors and what they could mean in your England, AR, home:

Rotten Odor

Your heat pump may emit a strong rotten or fishy odor when it’s experiencing electrical issues. An internal overheating problem may have melted the protective rubber coating off the wiring. There could also be an issue with the heat pump’s motor or another mechanical concern.

Microbial Growth

A musty or stale odor often relates to a moisture imbalance in the system. Excessive condensation could’ve allowed biological growth on the evaporator coils. The most effective way to avoid this problem is to bring in a service tech for a tuneup at least once a year.

Burning or Smokiness

A burning smell means you have a malfunctioning heat pump. Internal electrical issues may have left the system at risk of being a fire hazard. Turn off your system as soon as you notice this odor and request emergency HVAC repairs.

Dusty Smell

Similar to a traditional furnace or AC system, heat pumps can slowly accumulate dust over time. When the system switches on, it burns away this layer of grime, resulting in a faint dusty odor.

This smell is only temporary and should fade away after a few minutes. If it persists or worsens, call for expert service soon.

Determining what’s going wrong with your heat pump can be difficult without the right tools and training. Fortunately, you can always rely on an experienced service techto find the source behind your unpleasant heat pump odor. At Pine Bluff Heating & Air, we specialize in providing superior heat pump services in England, AR, so call us today.

Image provided by iStock