When you walk into your office, the last thing you want to encounter is a foul odor. However, if an unpleasant odor is coming from your commercial HVAC system and permeating the air, this means you have a problem on your hands.
Commercial HVAC odors have larger implications, including the potential to lower occupancy rates, attract negative attention from customers and community members, decrease sales, and cost businesses money to replace equipment or cover up odor presence. A proactive approach, however, can identify and eliminate these odors and reduce costs.
Why Does My Commercial HVAC System Smell?
A bad smell coming from your unit could mean any number of things and it’s important that you have a professional come to your office to inspect the unit. A faulty or broken HVAC system can be dangerous, so depending on what the problem is, you may need to evacuate your office until it’s fixed.
Common reasons why your commercial HVAC system may smell bad include the growth of mold or mildew throughout heating and cooling components, the accumulation of dust throughout ductwork, and leaky gas lines.
A Note on Mold and Bacteria in Your Commercial HVAC System
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some people may have more severe reactions to the presence of mold or bacteria, such as fever or shortness of breath. These symptoms may show up immediately or develop over time. As such, a comprehensive air quality assessment is necessary not only to the elimination of commercial HVAC odors, but also to maintaining healthier workplaces for employees.
Preventing Unexpected Odors in Your Commercial HVAC System
Unexpected commercial HVAC odors in your commercial HVAC system are not only unpleasant, they can also signal a problem that requires immediate attention. Stop the smell and solve the problem with these commercial HVAC tips.
Replace Dirty Air Filters
Air filters keep dust and debris out of your HVAC system. If you don’t replace them regularly, the filters can become clogged, causing airflow through the system to decrease. This may lead to poor ventilation in your building and cause odors that typically smell like stale, musty air or dirty socks. To solve this problem, change your filters every 30 days during heavy use (summer and winter) and every 60-90 days during average use (fall and spring).
Check for Gas Line Leaks
If your commercial HVAC system smells like rotten eggs, there may be another matter at hand. Rotten egg smells are often caused by leaks in your gas line – a serious issue that requires immediate attention from an HVAC technician and, depending on your needs, a licensed plumber.
Schedule Regular Commercial HVAC Preventive Maintenance
To ensure all your heating and cooling equipment is working properly, it’s important to schedule regular maintenance for your air conditioning and heating systems. Your HVAC technician will check for blockages in the ductwork and make sure the system is working at maximum efficiency to prevent odors from recirculating through your building.
Why Donnelly?
Donnelly Mechanical has experienced technicians on staff to assess your space and identify any problems with your current system that could be causing unpleasant odors. From there, our team will recommend solutions to prevent future issues with HVAC odor. Our team can perform repairs as well as maintenance services when needed. To learn more about HVAC repairs and maintenance services, visit our website today.
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