Thread: Strange odor in home

1997 vacant block Florida home: I just opened the front door and walked in and right away noticed a strange odor. It was almost like the smell you get when a small electric motor burns out. It was throughout the home. I opened several windows to let it air out but once I closed up and turn the AC on; it came back. I was not able to pinpoint any certain area where it was coming from. My first thought was China drywall but no other signs or symptoms. No odor in attic; just interior. Not being able to determine the cause; I am wondering how to direct my customer such as referring to some type of specialists such as industrial hygienist. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks Mark

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If you did a complete inspection and trust yourself that you checked all the systems and components in the home, then if there was a problem would have found it.

If you have no idea what it is or where it's coming from, then how can you choose which professional to defer to?
Smell burning that smells electrical? A sparky.

It could almost anything, including HVAC ductwork or plenums.
Many ductwork odors are masked when the HVAC system is idle, maybe they need attention (cleaning, replacing, etc.)

Originally Posted by Dom D'Agostino

It could almost anything, including HVAC ductwork or plenums.
Many ductwork odors are masked when the HVAC system is idle, maybe they need attention (cleaning, replacing, etc.)

Thanks all. Additional info: The AC system is 23 years old and has a UV light; now I'm wondering / thinking it may have something to do with it as the odor is kind of like what I smell when I come across an air purifier. It took me a while but I new the odor was familiar but just couldn't pin-point it. The system was on when I arrived and in the cooling mode. I'm just going to note the odor and point them towards the AC system first with the fact that I'm not 100% sure exacting what is it from.

Originally Posted by mark petty

I'm just going to note the odor and point them towards the AC system first with the fact that I'm not 100% sure exacting what is it from.

Mark,

That is pretty much what I would have done. Point them in a direction but let them know that this is beyond my experience and I do not know for sure that it is the source.

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

Mark,

That is pretty much what I would have done. Point them in a direction but let them know that this is beyond my experience and I do not know for sure that it is the source.

Thanks Gunnar; I'm now pretty sure that I'm right but like you said. Mark