Your HVAC system shouldn’t smell of anything really, and if you detect even the slightest aroma emanating from it, you should have it checked by an air duct technician as this usually indicates that there is some sort of problem.

From debris stuck in the ducts to mold, or an odor from outside spreading through your vents, there are several potential causes of a smelly HVAC system, the most common of which are outlined below:

1. Moldy or musty smell

The smell of mildew or mold is an all too common one in homes throughout the U.S., and often, it’s caused when moisture isn’t able to drain properly within an HVAC system. Air conditioners generate a lot of moisture, and if this isn’t adequately drained, it can leak into the ducts and cause mold to start growing.

If you suspect that there may be mold or mildew in your air conditioning system, call a trained duct technician to come and inspect it. Failure to do so will simply mean that your home continues to smell moldy and unpleasant. It’s important also to note that mold spores can be harmful for our health, so it’s in the best interests of the entire household, if a technician is called at the earliest.

2. Stale, stinky feet and dirty socks

Yuk! None of these odors are welcome in any home, and especially not if they’re being circulated throughout every room by your HVAC system. Sometimes, mold and mildew – as mentioned above – can begin to create a pungent odor reminiscent of smelly feet or dirty socks, and as soon as you identify this aroma, you should arrange for an inspection of the entire system to be carried out.

3. The smell of burning gas

While you may be able to detect this particular aroma each time you start your heater (when dust trapped inside the air duct burns off the heat exchange), it’s generally nothing to worry about, and usually the smell dissipates after a few minutes. However, should you detect this smell and cannot associate it with the starting of the heater, and it doesn’t dissipate, then you could have a bigger problem with your HVAC system or pipe junction.

This isn’t a smell that should ever be ignored.

4. The aroma of rotten eggs

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of rotten eggs, and nobody wants their home to smell of this, at any cost! If you can smell this inside your home, it may be that natural gas has escaped from close to, or within, your home and it could be very dangerous.

The minute you notice this particular smell, switch off your HVAC system, open all of your windows and get out as soon as you can, taking other family members and pets with you. Then, contact your gas providers and an HVAC system specialist to help identify the source of the smell, and get the problem fixed, fast.

We all want our homes to smell pleasing and fresh, but dirty ducts could jeopardize this. If you’ve noticed that your HVAC system is leaving an unpleasant aroma in your home, take action by calling up a local duct technician and have them inspect the system.

Ductgurus.com provides air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning services in New Jersey. Our experienced professionals will clean your ducts to ensure that they are free of dirt, dust, and other debris. We offer a range of services, from duct cleaning to dryer vent Cleaning, so you can trust us to do the job right.