Heat pump fills house with foul odor.?

Last summer I replaced my Rheem heat pump with an identical size and make. The duct work was not replaced but checked and is in good condition. Since the weather turned cold it fills the house with a foul odor every so often. When it happens thick steam rises from the unit outside the window. The service man says that the unit is going through the defrost cycle. Why does the new unit do this and the old one did not? Any ideas? Thanks.

Anonymous2008-02-28T06:53:37Z

Favorite Answer

The new unit works very good and pulls so much cold air from your home that it freezes the unit outside. Defrosting is a necessary step that must follow.

gizmoe2008-02-28T07:57:17Z

The old unit had to go into defrost too, but maybe its going into defrost too often. Something may be wrong.
Sounds like your indoor evaporator coil needs to be cleaned or something is on the electric heating elements that usually take over when in defrost. Have it looked at.