We just had a heat pump installed a couple years ago. For two winters now I've notice a smell every now and again. It's growing increasingly more common lately. It's almost like dry ice. It's a very dry, smokey smell but it doesn't smell like anything's burning. Just a very dry smell (if that makes sense). Any ideas?
2006-12-30 15:27:35 · 7 answers · asked by terry q 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
To me, dry ice has a smell. My husband says I'm crazy too though so maybe a fogger would be a better description. A fogger you would use at a dance or party to fog up the room a bit. And yes, I never noticed this problem until after they came back to install the part for the secondary heat. I can't remember what they called it but they described it as something to kick on when it got below a certain temp outside. I do usually notice it on mild winter days when the heat kicks on at night (when it gets colder).
2006-12-31 07:48:59 · update #1
Could just be the secondary heating coils, If it's too cool outside for your heat pump to keep up with the demand , there are back -up electric coils(just like huge toaster coils) that kick in to compensate.
They may just be covered with dust thats being burned off.
Keep your air filter clean, and replace it regularly.
Especially in an heat pump because air flow is very critical to proper operation.
If it eventually goes away, that's probably the case.
If it doesn't have it checked out by a reputable HVAC tech. as it could be something worse.
Response to additional details:
It's definately your secondary heat coils then.
In my experience electric heat coils just have a bad smell to them when heated. I grew up in a house with electric heat so I know exactly the smell you are talking about. Never really liked it at all especially in the fall when the heaters are ran for the first few times that's when it's the worst.
2006-12-30 22:19:26 · answer #1 · answered by ELF_N_MAGIC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is common with heat pumps. You are smelling the condensate on the cooling/heating coil evaporate. The is most common in milder weather when you may be in the cool mode during the day then as the temperature drops the cooling coil gets used as a heating coil. Try to recognize if this is happening after using cooling then going to heating. Sometimes having the coil chemically cleaned helps.
2006-12-30 15:37:15 · answer #2 · answered by Jekyl and Hyde 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it truly is possibly no longer your air filter out, however the unit itself. you've had condensation enhance interior the unit in the time of the summer time, and mould formed. simply by certainty that your unit is in simple terms a million.5 years old, i might have the employer that put in it come lower back and inspect it. i contemplate whether you have a kink in a drain-pipe someplace (allowing the mildew to strengthen) and any to blame employer could honor it truly is paintings. i might additionally call a expert and have them do a "track-up" activity -- I used to have a warmth pump and had a track-up accomplished for years each twelve months, i think of it truly is funds properly spent (approximately $ninety).
2016-10-28 18:59:12 · answer #3 · answered by lobos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
must be the back up heat strips coming on. an electronic air cleaner does smell to some people if you have one(ozone)
2006-12-31 00:21:48 · answer #4 · answered by robert c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spring rooster is right but there is another thing he missed the pump could be internally oveerheating and "cooking "' or burning of its heat insulator have a technician check it as it requires opening the pump
2006-12-30 15:51:09 · answer #5 · answered by Bert W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this happening when the auxillary heat strips are on?
2006-12-30 15:32:20 · answer #6 · answered by DR_NC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dry ice has no smell. Please try to describe the smell further so we can go further in helping you.
2006-12-30 15:34:23 · answer #7 · answered by DSM Handyman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋