A ductless mini split can provide better comfort than conventional central AC while also improving your indoor air quality. But, as with any appliance, you need to keep it in good working order. And, a bad smell can be a sign something’s wrong. Mini splits are made exceptionally well and don’t break down easily. But, nothing’s perfect, and you want to catch a small problem before it gets worse. Meanwhile, the odors coming from a ductless heating and cooling system are often different than you’d expect with central air. So, many of these are unfamiliar to people — especially homeowners that have only recently gone ductless.
Fishy Smell From Your Ductless System
People who have reported a fish or “seafood” smell coming from their ductless system usually have an animal that’s passed away near the heat pump outside. This is a little different from people’s experiences with conventional central air. With forced-air heating and cooling, people often say something smells like sulfur or rotten eggs when there’s a dead animal near the unit, in the ductwork, or a crawlspace. But, since mini splits work differently, that’s not the same.
Instead, you get a fishy smell. And, it’s often tougher to get out. That’s because the ductless system does push air around. Instead, there’s just refrigerant running in a closed loop between the heat pump and air handlers inside. As a result, the smell builds up more before you notice it. So, you’ll need a good cleaning for your system after you get rid of the remains.
Ductless: Chemical or Vinegar Smell
A chemical or vinegar smell from your ductless heating and cooling system is a sign of an electrical problem. If you notice this, turn off the system and call your HVAC contractor. Something could have overheated, and if you ignore it, things will get worse. We’ve even seen systems where components started melting from too much heat inside them! Similarly, there could be a coolant leak, and you’re smelling the chemicals seeping out. Once again, call for repairs ASAP. The sooner we can patch it, the less coolant we’ll have to recharge. That keeps the cost down for you.
Mini Split Smells Stale Or Cheesy
A stale or cheesy mini split smell is a sign of a mold problem. It’s called Dirty Sock Syndrome because people often describe it as smelling like an old gym bag. The cause is mold and mildew building up inside the air handler, usually on the coil. It’s pretty common: Your air handler is warm from all the electronics at work, and there’s no light in there. When you combine that with the moisture from the air condensing inside it, you end up with a perfect breeding ground for mold. The best way to get rid of the problem is with a deep cleaning, and we’ll discuss that in more detail later.
Dirty Sock Smell In Your Mini Split
The dirty sock smell is the same for just about any HVAC equipment: It’s a sign that there’s mold somewhere in your system. And, it’s potentially a bigger problem for mini splits than forced-air systems. The problem here is that the mold or mildew grows in the air handler. That’s the indoor component circulating air in the room. If it’s contaminated, then you’re blowing mold spores through the air in your house. Along with the smell, you also may notice black or other dark splotches on the outside of the air handler. On top of that, you may notice people with respiratory issues having trouble breathing or experiencing allergy symptoms.
Comments
Post a Comment