Just ahead of Halloween, something strange is happening in your home.
The thermostat is saying one thing, but one bedroom has an otherworldly cold spot… You hear a strange rattle from somewhere in the attic…. The air conditioner or heater seems to turn on and off on a whim…
Then there’s the smell… It’s not the kitchen, the bathroom, the trash, or anything hiding underneath the refrigerator…
Before you dump money on radio interference sensors and infrared cameras to capture what’s haunting your home, give Absolute Heat and Air a call. We may be able to diagnose this ‘ghost’ problem.
The good news: a spirit is probably not haunting your home. But there is a chance your HVAC system does need some attention.
What’s That Smell?
Not every musty or stale smell is supernatural. It can sometimes be due to buildup in your system or ductwork. Because your HVAC system moves air throughout your home, odors from somewhere else in the house can also be carried through the system and become more noticeable when it runs.
However, other smells do deserve a little more attention.
If you notice a burning smell coming from the system, don’t just open a window. Make sure to turn the system off and have it checked out by a professional.
Not every strange smell means something is seriously wrong, but persistent or unusual odors are always worth investigating.
When Something Doesn’t Sound or Feel Right
An unusual noise doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a creature in your house. While it may sound spooky, new or persistent sounds are worth checking out to make sure there isn’t an underlying issue.
Rattling, buzzing, banging, or clicking can have different causes depending on the equipment and where the sound is coming from. A loose component, debris, or another mechanical issue could be responsible. If your system starts making a sound you haven’t heard before, don’t wait for it to become louder to have it checked out.
That same logic applies to changes in performance.
If your system is struggling to maintain the temperature, cycling on and off more frequently than usual, or leaving some rooms warmer or colder, it’s worth checking for underlying issues affecting airflow and system efficiency.
Don’t Wait Until the Haunting Gets Worse
The first cold nights of fall are often when homeowners discover their heating system isn’t working the way it should.
And considering the warmth we’ve seen in August and September, there’s a good chance it’s been sitting unused.
A little preventative maintenance can help identify potential issues before they turn into an unexpected breakdown. So if your system is acting oddly, don’t wait for the problem to get worse.
Don’t Be a Monster: Change Your Air Filter
The scariest thing your system may encounter is a neglected air filter. One of the easiest ways to keep it running properly is to change it regularly.
While it may not be the most exciting home-maintenance task ahead of Halloween (especially when there are Halloween decorations to put up), a dirty filter can restrict airflow and make your system work harder than it needs to.
How often you need to change it depends on your system and household, but generally, every three months is a good rule of thumb.
Your HVAC Shouldn’t Participate in Halloween Fun
Halloween is the season of ghosts and ghouls. While things that go bump in the night are a mainstay of the holiday, your HVAC system shouldn’t be participating in the fun.
A strange noise doesn’t necessarily mean your HVAC system is on its last legs. A bad smell doesn’t mean your house is haunted, and a room that’s too cold doesn’t mean you’re in the presence of spirits. A professional inspection from Absolute Heat and Air can help identify what’s going on before a small issue becomes a much larger one.
Before you assume there’s a ghost in the machine, consider the more likely explanation: it’s the system that needs some attention.
And if it actually is a ghost…
We’ll leave that one to the professionals.
