Hey everyone, I'm dealing with a puzzling situation in my daughters' bedrooms (ages 5 and 3). A few nights ago, we found both rooms filled with an overpowering sweet smell after they had been closed up for a while. I started to worry it might be related to our HVAC system, specifically a heat exchanger issue or a refrigerant leak, so I called an HVAC tech. They checked the air quality and refrigerant levels and didn't find any problems, which was a relief.
Interestingly, the smell was still present even when the HVAC unit wasn't running, which makes me think it could be something that's off-gassing. The smell seems to lessen when the HVAC fan is on. We haven't changed any furniture or done major renovations since getting solar panels installed last December, so I'm not sure where the smell could be coming from.
I also have an Airthings monitor that showed high VOC levels at night when the door is closed. But with the door open and the HVAC fan running, the levels drop considerably. I considered a sewer gas issue, but the bathroom smells fine, and we've experienced that smell before (it's definitely not the same!).
I've scheduled a plumber to scope the vent pipe next week and have a mold inspection company coming tomorrow just to be safe. I even bought a thermal imaging camera to look for possible mold or maybe a dead animal behind the walls, but my house is fairly new, so I'm hopeful it's nothing major.
I feel like I'm covering all the bases, but if anyone has additional ideas or things I should check, I'd appreciate any feedback!
2 Answers
It sounds like you’re already on top of this, but just in case, have you checked for any sources of off-gassing? Sometimes paints, carpets, or even new electronics can release compounds that lead to weird smells. Since you mentioned you haven’t added new furniture, maybe check if any previous installations could still be affecting air quality? I’d also recommend checking for any leaks or moisture near windows or walls. Good luck with the inspections!
Just throwing it out there, it could be mold or mildew that hasn’t revealed itself yet. Since you’re doing thorough checks, you could also consider checking vents for any buildup. And if that thermal camera shows anything, keep us updated!
Definitely keeping a close eye on everything! I'll update if we discover anything suspicious.
Great point! I haven't done a thorough investigation of previous installations, so I’ll add that to my list. Thanks!