3 Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells You Shouldn't Ignore
During summer, an air conditioner comes in handy to maintain indoor comfort levels when the heat soars. However, an air conditioner's efficiency depends on how well you maintain it. A faulty or malfunctioning AC distorts indoor air quality, which exposes you to diseases. One unmistakable sign of a faulty AC unit is strange odors, mainly due to bacterial and mold growth inside the ductwork.
Below is a closer look at the common AC smells, their causes, and possible solutions.
Rotten Egg Smells
If you notice sulfur or a rotten egg smell in your home, chances are that you have a natural gas leak. Natural gas is odorless, but gas companies add mercaptan, which has a sulfur smell, to help homeowners detect leaks and avert an explosion.
Natural gas is highly combustible, and when it mixes with oxygen, it can create a fireball. So if you notice this smell, immediately open all the windows and doors to ventilate the area, then call your HVAC technician. But don't turn on any lights, appliances, or anything else that can create a spark. Even the slightest spark can cause an explosion.
An expert can first shut off the gas line, then find and repair the leak. They can also test for any methane buildup in the house for safety purposes.
Exhaust Fume Smell
Some fluids that keep your AC functional often smell like exhaust fumes, a problem you'll probably notice when you have a refrigerant leak. Freon or refrigerant is a chemical compound that plays a vital role in cooling your house. If a leak develops, your system's performance significantly diminishes. Moreover, a refrigerant leak releases dangerous chemicals that adversely affect the environment.
Refrigerant is almost odorless, but you might catch its sweet, chloroform scent. You should have a professional check your system right away. Left unrepaired, a Freon leak can harm you. Meanwhile, open your windows to allow ventilation and keep the Freon smell out before the experts come in.
Burning Smells
Once in a while, your air conditioner might produce a burning smell when you turn it on. This is mostly due to dust accumulation on the AC's components during its off-season. When this happens, the dust burns off when the system starts working again.
However, if a strong burning smell persists, that might be a sign of an electrical problem. For example, if there are loose and frayed wires, they might overheat and produce a burning smell. Also, a burning smell coming from your AC might indicate that the motor is overheating. The blower motor forces air through the vents, and if it's faulty, it can heat up uncontrollably and produce a burning smell.
In both cases, it would be best to shut down the system and call in an electrician to check the wiring and perform AC repairs. Do not try to fix this problem yourself since you might end up making things worse or even electrocute yourself.
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