Need An AC Repair? Beware Of These Air Conditioner Smells In Your Home | Mansfield, TX
When the summer heat is blazing, all you need is to relax in your fresh, air-conditioned house. The last thing you would want is to stay in a house with an unpleasant odor that won’t give you the refreshed and relaxing feeling.
A stinking air conditioner is never a good sign and may be harmful to your health since some of the smells are toxic. Since the AC is the workhorse of your home, it may cause a considerable inconvenience and affect your comfort if it malfunctions. But the good news is that before it stops functioning, it exhibits some signs that will give you time to arrange for an AC repair.
Among the many signs given by the AC unit include bad smells. An odor problem should not cause any panic because sometimes it could be due to a dirty filter or mold in the unit that needs to be cleaned. But if the unit emits persistent funny smells, there could be some issues at play. In this blog, you’ll learn about the various scents from your AC unit and what they mean.
AC Smells Like a Car’s Exhaust
Although your AC does not run on an internal combustion engine, sometimes it may smell like a running car exhaust. This is because it produces some fluids, which smell like exhaust fumes when heated. When you detect this smell, it could mean there is a leak in the refrigerant line. A leaking refrigerant negatively affects the AC and releases hazardous chemicals that are not eco-friendly.
Most ACs still use Freon as a refrigerant. This coolant removes heat from the indoor air and releases it outside. However, this substance is harmful to the environment, and you should seek professional AC repair services when you detect a Freon leak.
It’s easy to detect a Freon leak because it has a sweetish odor like the car’s coolant. As you wait for an AC specialist to arrive, it’s advisable to ensure your house is adequately ventilated and open the windows to prevent the harmful effects resulting from the chemical leak.
AC Smells Like Cigarette
If you smoke or have a family member who uses cigarettes, don’t be surprised when your AC ends up smelling like decayed cigarette smoke. Besides the unpleasant smell, you could end up with headaches and allergic reactions. The filter and evaporator coil usually absorb the odor from cigarette smoke.
Therefore, when you turn on the air conditioner, the trapped tobacco particles are released into your home through the AC vents affecting your indoor air quality.
You can avoid this problem by changing your air filters after one or two months and cleaning the filters frequently. Also, you can advise smokers in your house to smoke outside.
AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
Sometimes critters and dead rodents get stuck in the AC, releasing a rotten or foul smell. Also, birds and insects may take refuge in the ductwork and end up getting trapped, and over time, they will emit an unpleasant odor.
When you switch on the AC, a foul smell will be released into your home. Besides the lousy odor, dying or stuck animals can damage different system parts. You can pest-proof the AC to prevent these rotten smell issues to avoid such cases. You can always call an AC repair technician to remove the dead animal. The professional will first pinpoint the same duct where the stench is coming from, remove the cover, and get rid of the carcass.
Once the dead animal has been removed, ensure to wipe the area clean and keep it dry gently. To avoid ductwork issues, you can regularly check the AC unit to prevent unnecessary repairs.
Must, Mildew, and Mold Smell
At some point, most folks in Mansfield, TX, have experienced a dingy and stale smell coming from the AC. Musty smell from the AC usually results from water accumulated in drip lines or drain pans, causing mildew or fungus growth. If there is a leakage, you may notice some signs in the indoor unit, for instance, water dripping down the wall.
Dirty filters can also cause a musty smell. For instance, If you turn on your AC after a long period during the hot and humid summers, moisture accumulates in the filters. In such a case, you’ll need an AC repair professional to clean the AC’s lines and ducts. This not only removes the unpleasant smell but in case of a leakage, the technician will repair the source to prevent further problems.
In a nutshell, you can avoid moisture and mildew problems by replacing filters, fixing all water leaks, scheduling bi-annual AC tune-ups, and improving drainage. Also, if you have exposed earth in your basement or crawlspace, you may need to look for ways to cover the soil.
AC repair specialists advise homeowners to use a whole-home dehumidifier to prevent mildew and mold and protect their items. The dehumidifier is connected directly to the existing HVAC system to deposit the moisture outdoors and remove the required moisture from the atmosphere.
Burning Smell
The AC has many electrical components ranging from fans, circuit boards, and power wires to compressors. If your AC is smelling like burning plastic or gunpowder, it could mean one or some components are burning. You should immediately turn it off and seek AC repair services if this happens.
However, the burning smell could be due to dust and nothing serious in some cases. This could happen if your AC has not been used for a long time, causing dust to settle within the unit. Thus, when you turn the AC on after such a long time, the dust will burn off, producing an awful smell. This is temporary and is nothing to worry about or warrant an AC repair.
Call an AC Repair Contractor!
You might be tempted to mask the foul smell using an air purifier, but it only worsens the situation. Postponing good AC repair work will only destroy your AC, leading you to replace the entirely new unit.
If you need an AC or a furnace repair service in Mansfield, TX, Minuteman Heating & Air got your back. We have certified and experienced AC repair specialists trained to handle all types of HVAC systems. We are a phone call away!