As a homeowner in St. Louis, you rely on your HVAC system to stay comfortable year-round.
But what happens when your heating or cooling system starts emitting unusual odors? At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we understand that strange smells from your HVAC can be concerning.
In this article, we’ll explore common HVAC odors, what they might mean, and when it’s time to call in the professionals.
I have complete trust in Thomas Hoffman AC . I have had multipletechnicians who are always polite and knowledgeable.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your trust in our team, Henry! We appreciate your kind words about our technicians.
Just had our annual service on our furnace. The technician was very professional, friendly, thorough and spent time explaining what all he did and what his recommendations were going forward. Couldn't be happier. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THOMAS HOFFMAN AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING.
Response from the owner: Terry, we're so grateful for your kind words and for recommending us! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our technician during your annual furnace service. Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning and Heating!
Zachary was very professional and friendly and we would be happy to have him return to work on our furnace again in the future!
Response from the owner: Stephanie, we're so happy to hear that Zachary provided you with professional and friendly service! We look forward to working with you again in the future!
Excellent! Highly recommended
Response from the owner: Udis, we truly appreciate your recommendation!
I called on a Monday morning as air conditioning was blowing warm air. They were able to come to my house very early afternoon and fixed the problem. Would highly recommend and will use them again.
Response from the owner: Becky thank you so much for your great review. We appreciate your business and your kind words.
This company is so responsive to me that I love them. They respond immediately and I trust them. It always cost me, but that is the nature of the beast. I haven’t been steered wrong yet. They are genuinely nice to work with and honest. I use their maintenance program as well. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words, we truly appreciate your trust in us and are glad to hear about your positive experience with our services.
They were outstanding and got us cool very quickly.
Response from the owner: Bill, we're so glad we could help you out quickly! Thank you!
Great job done quickly and I loved how they were on time. Thank you for providing great customer service.
Response from the owner: Myrtle, we're so glad you're happy with our service. Thank you for your kind words!
Giovanni was good…. This is reason we ask for him
Response from the owner: Thanks so much!
Zac and Giovanni are always extremely polite, considerate and professional. We are thrilled to have the new A/C unit. Our unit was 18 years old and stopped working in the thick of 100 degree weather. Tom (the owner) came over within an hour (after hours) and bought us time by changing out some parts until we could have the new one installed. We’re very happy with Thomas Hoffmann A/C and Heating!
Response from the owner: Katie, we're delighted that Zac, Giovanni, and Tom were able to assist you promptly and effectively during the heatwave. Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffmann A/C and Heating!
Honest takes his time to listen and help you without charging Arm and a leg
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your kind words, Carrie! We truly appreciate your feedback.
Couldn't be happier with our experience. Our AC stopped working after typical hours and they were the only "24/7" HVAC service who was able to come out same day. Not only were they fast, but they identified and fixed the problem immediately and did some preventative maintenance (and showed me how to do it) to prevent it from happening again. Will absolutely use them again in the future.
Response from the owner: We're so glad to hear about your positive experience, Hannah White! Thank you for choosing us and we look forward to helping you again in the future.
Great service! Prompt, polite and got the job done quickly.
Response from the owner: We're so happy to hear that you had a great experience with us! Thank you for your kind words.
Thomas Hoffman personally quoted the job at a fair price and they did a quality install! I would highly recommend them!
Response from the owner: Thank you for recommending us, Joe! We appreciate your feedback and are glad you were satisfied with our service!
Came same day and fixed the problem.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your feedback! Glad we could help you out the same day.
Caught in a bind one evening (no AC), I called for an appointment to get mine repaired. They came out the next morning, one half hour early! Within 30 minutes we back up and running!! Thank you, Thomas Hoffman. You are my guys!
Response from the owner: Thank you for choosing us, Sue! We're glad we could help you out quickly and get your AC up and running smoothly again! Thomas Hoffman and the team appreciate your kind words!
Blower went out on a Sunday. They answered my call, got me in, replaced blower, very easy!
Response from the owner: We're so glad we could assist you with your blower on a Sunday! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Thomas is amazing and came over in only a couple hours and fixed my ac! True life saver 🙏🏼
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience with Thomas! We're glad to hear he was able to help you out quickly and efficiently. 👍
Fantastic experience! Our AC went out on a scorching Saturday evening. I wasn’t actually expecting anybody to get out that night, but when calling - I immediately got an answer, was on the schedule in 5 minutes, and Thomas showed up an hour later. He was honest, professional, and educational. Most importantly, I didn’t feel like he was cutting corners or trying to get in and out… a welcome contrast from most services these days. 6 stars out of 5, highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience, Andrew! We're so glad to hear that Thomas provided such honest and professional service for your AC needs. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Service technician came out to fix our problem within 2 hours of my call. Fixed the problem. Was excellent.
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're glad we could resolve the issue promptly for you. Thank you for your continued support of Thomas Hoffmann AC and Heating!
Our air conditioner stopped working & left us in this unbearable heat. Thomas Hoffman air conditioning & heating came to the rescue and saved the day!! We can't thank you enough. We highly recommended his services.
Response from the owner: We are so grateful we could help during the unbearable heat. Thank you for recommending our services!
A/C went out after hours. Company came out with no hesitation and got us going right away. Excellent service and would recommend to anyone that has the need.
Response from the owner: We're so grateful for your kind words and glad we could help you out when your A/C went out after hours. Thank you for recommending us!
We have complete trust in Thomas Hoffman AC. They have helped us several times over the years with hard to diagnose issues with our geothermal heat pump and traditional HVAC. They are competent, courteous and very easy to schedule .
Response from the owner: We appreciate your trust in us, Maria Grazia! It's great to hear about your positive experiences with our services. Thank you for your kind words!
The service technicians are very courteous and communicate well with the customer. They let you know what, if any, problems are found, the options, and the cost of the repair(s). Quick and efficient.
Response from the owner: Thank you for recognizing our service technicians' courteous and effective communication, we appreciate your feedback!
Nick came on SUNDAY when my a/c quit. He fixed the problem quickly and the price was reasonable. Great customer service.
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience, Sherri! We're glad we could help with your a/c and provide great customer service at a reasonable price. We appreciate your business!
Called Thomas Hoffmann HVAC and received service very quickly, nick came out the next day and repaired my issue quickly. Really appreciate their service and would recommend to anyone in kirkwood!
Response from the owner: Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffmann HVAC! We're glad we could promptly address and resolve your HVAC issue. Appreciate your recommendation!
Excellent Service. Thank you Zackery
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words, Buzz! It was a pleasure assisting you.
Excellent service! I called Thomas Hoffman A/C & Heating at 8pm and they had us back up and going before bedtime! Great company!
Response from the owner: We're so glad we could assist you quickly! Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffman A/C & Heating!
Came quickly and was awesome to talk to. Quick and had all the parts on hand. Wouldn’t use anyone else.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words, Brendan! We're glad to hear that you had a positive experience with us. We appreciate your support!
We recently had no a/c during a heat advisory. Thomas Hoffmann AC and Heating did a great job getting us back up and running and helped us make the most cost effective decisions on the fix.
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience, we're glad we could help you during a challenging time. Thank you for your continued support, Don!
Thomas came to the rescue when our AC went out when it was 100 degrees out! He arrived a few hours after placing an after hours call and quickly diagnosed the problem. He had our AC unit back up and running within an hour so my family could sleep in a cool house. I highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann for anyone needing AC services!
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience, Lindsay! So glad Thomas could help get your AC up and running smoothly again for your family's comfort. Your recommendation means a lot!
Thomas Hoffman repaired our furnace in this past winter and A/C this summer. Job well done in both instances. Thank you!
Response from the owner: Thank you for trusting us with your furnace and A/C repairs, Jennifer! We appreciate your kind words and are glad we could help.
Our technician Zach was friendly and did a very thorough job. He even called me ahead of our appointment to let me know he might be a little later than anticipated. Would highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thank you for recommending us, we appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear about your positive experience with Zach.
Great experience. Nick diagnosed the issue quickly (unit making annoying noise). Nick was speedy in the repair, and also made a courtesy follow-up visit. Nick provided excellent technical expertise, customer service and communication. Nick was chill and friendly, and overall pried and exceptional customer experience.
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience, Jon! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that Nick was able to provide you with excellent service.
I am very pleased with the service provided., especially the quick response to my request . The technician came on a Sunday morning and had my cooling system repaired within an hour. Thank you !
Response from the owner: We're delighted we could promptly assist you on a Sunday morning and fix your cooling system efficiently. Thank you!
Great job explaining the situation they were early and notified me on estimated arrival time. Great customer service and reasonable prices as well will definitely use again for personal and business.
Response from the owner: Thank you for the kind words! We're glad to hear that you were pleased with our service and pricing. Looking forward to serving you again soon!
Top notch company
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words, Greg! We appreciate your feedback!
Nick Hoffmann with Thomas Hoffmann Heating and Cooling is top notch. He is a true professional with friendly service. They do service, repair, and installation. They have a lot of years of experience and always look for the best way to help each and every customer. Please give Nick a call today for all of your heating and cooling needs.
Response from the owner: Thank you for recognizing Nick's professionalism and friendly service, we appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear about your positive experience with us!
We used Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning to service our Hot Water Heater and plan on using them in the future for maintenance program.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your great review. We appreciate your business.
Fast response and quick resolution
Response from the owner: Thank you for your feedback! We're glad we could help you quickly.
Quick to respond, very open and honest about what was wrong with good recommendations. We will continue to use them for all our HVAC needs
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words and for choosing us for your HVAC needs! We appreciate your trust and look forward to continuing to serve you.
Musty or Moldy Smell
If you notice a musty or moldy odor when your air conditioner runs, it could indicate the presence of mold or mildew in your system. St. Louis’s humid summers create an ideal environment for mold growth, especially in air conditioning units. This smell often results from:
- Clogged condensate drain lines
- Excess moisture in the evaporator coil
- Dirty air filters
Not only is this smell unpleasant, but it can also pose health risks, especially for those with allergies or respiratory issues. Regular maintenance, including changing air filters and cleaning drain lines, can help prevent mold growth.
Burning or Electrical Smell
A burning odor from your HVAC system should never be ignored. This smell could indicate:
- Overheating motor
- Frayed wires
- Burning plastic components
If you detect a burning smell, turn off your system immediately and call a professional HVAC technician. Continuing to run the system could lead to further damage or even pose a fire hazard.
Rotten Egg Smell
A rotten egg smell is often associated with a natural gas leak. While natural gas is odorless, utility companies add a sulfur-like scent to help detect leaks. If you smell this:
- Turn off your HVAC system
- Open windows for ventilation
- Leave your home immediately
- Contact your gas company or emergency services
Never ignore a potential gas leak, as it can be extremely dangerous.
Dirty Sock Syndrome
Yes, it’s an actual term in the HVAC industry! If your air conditioner emits an odor similar to dirty socks, it’s likely due to bacteria growing on the evaporator coil. This smell is particularly common in St. Louis during spring and fall when the AC runs less frequently. A professional cleaning of your evaporator coil can usually resolve this issue.
Chemical or Sweet Smell
A sweet, chemical odor could indicate a refrigerant leak in your air conditioning system. Refrigerant is crucial for your AC’s cooling process, and a leak can lead to:
- Reduced cooling efficiency
- Higher energy bills
- Potential health hazards
If you suspect a refrigerant leak, immediately turn off your AC and contact a certified HVAC technician.
Dusty or Burning Smell When Heat Turns On
It’s common to notice a dusty or slightly burning smell when you first turn on your furnace after months of disuse. This is typically due to dust accumulation on heating elements and should dissipate quickly. However, if the smell persists or becomes stronger, it could indicate:
- A clogged air filter
- Debris in the ducts
- An overheating component
A professional should check your system if the smell doesn’t go away after a day or two.
Gunpowder Smell
An odor similar to gunpowder often indicates an electrical problem, such as a failing fan motor or circuit board. This smell requires immediate attention from a qualified HVAC technician to prevent further damage or potential safety hazards.
Prevention and Maintenance
Regular HVAC maintenance is key to preventing many of these odor issues. At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we recommend:
- Changing air filters regularly
- Scheduling annual professional maintenance
- Keeping your outdoor unit clean and free of debris
- Addressing any unusual smells promptly
By staying proactive with your HVAC care, you can ensure a comfortable, odor-free home environment throughout St. Louis’s seasons.
When to Call the Professionals
While some minor odors may resolve independently, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you’re experiencing persistent or concerning smells from your HVAC system, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating. Our experienced technicians can diagnose and resolve your HVAC odor issues quickly and efficiently, ensuring your home stays comfortable and safe all year.
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Remember, a well-maintained HVAC system smells better and operates more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills and preventing costly repairs. Trust your nose – if something doesn’t smell right, it’s time to give us a call!
