Why There's a Bad Smell Coming from the Vents in Your House
If you’ve noticed an unpleasant, or just odd, smell in the air at home your vents could be the source, and it’s not something to ignore in hopes it will just go away. It’s important to investigate to identify the cause of the odor and address the issue to avoid problems that arise from poor indoor air quality. Let’s go over some of the common causes for funky vent smells and their remedies.
Typical Maintenance Concerns With Odors Coming From Your Vents
There are plenty of causes for unpleasant vent odors that come with time and use of your system. The accumulation of normal dust, dirt, and debris can start to give off a stale, musty odor if they’re allowed to build up for too long. The easy fix here is to schedule a professional air duct cleaning. If there is mold present during your cleaning it is important to identify the source of the moisture (if it smells like you just opened a fresh bag of mulch, it could be a mold problem). Mold can cause air quality problems that lead to health issues down the line. Be sure that ducts are fully disinfected and consider installing a dehumidifier to discourage any future mold growth.
Keep your ducts clean longer after your cleaning service by setting up a regular air filter changing schedule. How long you can make each filter last depends on a lot of factors, but if you want to keep your system as clean as possible just do it every 30 days. This is a task that Golden Home monthly subscribers receive from their monthly handyman visit.
What if It’s Still Stinky After Maintenance?
Unfortunately, sometimes a smell persists after the typical causes have been addressed. One of the first things to check is your HVAC system’s drain line. It can get clogged up with algae, mold, or just dirt that causes a backup of stagnant water. Cleaning out the line and the drain pan regularly should prevent this from recurring. You may also want to discuss the option of installing a drain line maintenance kit or work with a professional HVAC tech to make sure you’ve addressed the root cause of the problem.
A persisting foul odor can be an indication that your HVAC system is malfunctioning. This is more likely to be the problem with an aging system. Components such as the heat exchange, blower motor or other electrical elements can all create unpleasant smells when they’re not working properly. An inspection by a qualified HVAC technician is the best way to identify any problems and correct them.
Once you notice a smell coming from your vents the most important task is Identifying its source. The best way to maintain good indoor air quality is to keep up with regular HVAC maintenance. Your system will give you optimal performance when it is being serviced regularly. At Golden Home Management we want to offer you more freedom to enjoy your time with less worry about keeping your home in tip top shape. Give us a call, let’s talk about your needs now and what your needs will likely be in the future.