(Newswire.net — November 19, 2018) — When a burning smell comes from your HVAC system, it implies that there is something wrong with it. However, the burning smell emitted by your HVAC does not indicate it’s likely to catch fire. It emits smell because of various reasons. For example, sometimes, the HVAC smells like burning plastic because of excess heat in the heating system. This article will go further into detail of all of the reasons why your HVAC might be emitting certain odors.
HVAC Smells Like Burning Plastic
The HVAC system
There may be times when smells being emitted from your HVAC is inevitable. You might realize this through constantly trying to get rid of it, but it still lingers. The smell comes through the vents and air ducts of your HVAC. There are different things that cause your HVAC to emit a smell. It emits different smells depending on the type of issue you have to eradicate.
Heating
If you happen to turn on your heater and smell burning plastic, it might be because of an issue in the electrical connection. Poor power connection can make the coating on the wires melt, which will then emit the burning odor.
Furthermore, if you haven’t used your HVAC system in a while, the smell may simply be due to dust accumulation. This is because the dust accumulated in the system gets burned once the heater is turned on. The smell stops after a minute.
Air Filter
If the air filter in the air conditioner is old enough, the air filter may get clogged. This restricts air flow, which in turn causes strain on the fans, motor, other components of the air conditioning system. This leads to a burning smell.
You should constantly check on the status of your air filter to prevent this from happening. If your filter is too dirty, consider replacing it.
Pests
If your air conditioner makes your whole home smell with bad odor, it is probably because of some pest or a critter that went into the system and was killed there.
Regular Servicing is Important
Since HVAC systems absorb air from the atmosphere in order to produce the cold or hot air a homeowner is looking for. Thus, they accumulate dust, dirt, debris, and pests in them and throughout the vents. As these get accumulated in the machine, it fails to release the heat properly, leading to a burning or musty smell.
So, your HVAC smells like burning plastic? Regular maintenance will help alleviate this issue of arising. You should be sure to always check your air filters, ensure that there is nothing in your vents, and take other precautionary measures to get the best air quality. For a professional’s consultation, consider contacting HVAC pros at Worlock Air Conditioning for guidance.