Every year in Sarasota, the temperature drops into the 40s, you turn your thermostat to “HEAT” for the first time in ten months, and five minutes later, you start to worry.
A burning smell fills the hallway. You might even see something that looks like smoke coming from your outdoor unit. Is your house on fire? Did the AC break?
HVAC Mysteries, Solved!
Before you reach for the fire extinguisher, take a deep breath. These are actually common and usually harmless quirks of Florida heat pumps. Here’s a guide to help you understand your heater’s odd winter behavior.
Mystery #1: “The Burning Smell”
The Verdict:
It’s likely just dust.
Because we live in Florida, heating coils are unused for most of the year. After months of running the AC, dust collects on these parts. When you turn on the heat, the coils burn off the dust.
What to Do:
Open a window and let your system run for 20 to 30 minutes. The smell should go away soon and is almost always harmless.
When to Worry:
If the smell is like melting plastic or ozone, or if it lasts more than an hour, turn off the system and call D&D Air.
Mystery #2: “My Outdoor Unit is Smoking!”
The Verdict:
It’s probably just steam, not smoke, and nothing to be concerned about.
While this can look alarming, it’s actually normal. In winter, your outdoor unit, called the condenser, can get so cold that frost or ice covers the coil. To protect itself, it goes into Defrost Mode.
During this cycle, the unit heats up to melt the ice, creating water vapor, or steam, that rises from the unit. It looks like smoke, but it’s just the system doing its job. You might hear a loud “whoosh” when it starts or stops.
What to Do:
Nothing! Just relax and let it finish its cycle. This process is normal and safe.
When to Worry:
If the “smoke” is black or smells like burning rubber, turn off the system and contact an expert.
Mystery #3: “The Air Feels Cold”
The Verdict:
It’s all about physics!
The Explanation: Gas furnaces blow out air at over 120°F. But most homes in Sarasota use heat pumps. Heat pumps are very efficient, but they produce heat at about 90°F to 95°F.
Because your body temperature is 98.6°F, air moving at 95°F can feel cool to your hand, even though it’s warm enough to heat your room to 72°F.
What to Do:
Trust your thermostat. If the room is getting warmer, your system is working.
When to Worry:
If after several hours of running, your thermostat shows no difference in temperature… or it even got colder? Time to call D&D Air.
Still Having Issues, or Unsolved HVAC Mysteries?
If your system makes strange noises or the burning smell doesn’t go away, don’t try to figure it out on your own.
Call D&D Air at (941) 297-0089 now to schedule a safety check or ask about system upgrades.
Make sure your home is ready for the holidays and take advantage of our best offer ever: up to $4,000 in savings and 0% financing for 6 months. Act today for peace of mind this winter!
