Why My Heat Pump Gives Off a Bad Smell in Ocean Pines, MD

Your heat pump shouldn’t smell bad, and neither should the air it blows into your home in Ocean Pines, MD. Bad smells indicate a problem with your heat pump. Read further to find out about common reasons that heat pumps smell bad.

Unwashed Socks

If your heat pump smells like socks in need of a wash, it usually means that there is some kind of biological contaminant inside the system somewhere. These contaminants can compromise your indoor air quality, so it’s important to take care of them right away.

Vinegar

A vinegary smell means that there is ozone present. Ozone occurs when a spark of some kind splits an oxygen molecule into two atoms, either of which can then bind with another oxygen molecule, producing the vinegary smell. So, the presence of ozone indicates an electrical fault of some kind within the system.

Fish

When your heat pump smells like fish, it could mean that the insulation on some of the wires has melted. It could also mean that one of the internal components could have overheated. In either case, the system needs service immediately.

Smoke

The old saying of “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” is true of heat pumps. If you smell smoke from your interior vents or from the heat pump itself, then that means that one of its components is burning or that it’s drawing in smoke from something near it. Either way, it’s time to call the fire department.

We’ve held full accreditation from the Better Business Bureau since 1995, and we’ve been in business since 1981. So, when it comes to servicing your HVAC components, our experience and knowledge speak for themselves. When you find yourself in need of heat pump repairs, you should call us at Custom Mechanical immediately to set up an appointment.

Image provided by iStock