The weather outside has turned from Spring’s cool breezes to Summer’s heat. When you turn the air conditioner on, it smells funky, musty, or dusty. This situation is one to which you need to pay attention. At Affordable Fixes, we know what different air conditioner smells mean, and better still, how to repair the situation.
Let’s take a look at common aromas and what they may mean in your home.
Burning or Electrical Smells From the AC Unit
This can indicate one of three problems in our experience. You may have an overheated motor, dust burning off the coils (especially the first time starting up), or a wiring issue. If the smell dissipates after about half an hour, it’s probably just dust. If not, call in Affordable Fixes, and one of our technicians can make sure you don’t have a fire hazard.
Chemical Aroma or Vinegar Smell
Such aromas mean you probably have bacteria in your ductwork. Alternatively, the bacteria may have settled into the condensation pan. It’s best to replace your air filter and use vinegar and water to flush your drain line. Alternatively, call professionals who can fix it properly by sanitizing the ducts.
Musty Odor
Mildew and mold can accumulate in your air conditioning system in areas like the ductwork, evaporator coils, and the drip pan. Flush out the condensation line. If that doesn’t work, reach out to our office for an appointment. We serve the greater Philadelphia, PA, area.
Rotten Aromas
The two most common rotten smells from the air conditioner are of dead animals or old eggs.
With the former, you’ll want to look at your vents and ducts for a dead creature or its droppings. Disinfect after you remove the problem. If possible, figure out where the creature entered the house and seal it up.
A natural gas leak causes rotten egg – sulfur smells. Turn off your air conditioner unit immediately. Take your cellphone, leave the house, and call emergency gas services in your area.
Smoky Smell From Your Air Conditioner
If anyone in your home smoked, that residue can cling to your ducts, coils, or filters. Our technicians at Affordable Fixes recommend getting an HVAC odor neutralizer and replacing filters. If that doesn’t work, reach out to our office and make an appointment to have your coils and ducts deep-cleaned.
Synthetic Sweet Odor
You probably have a refrigerant leak. Don’t leave the unit running, as the vapors can cause nausea. Turn it off and call our certified HVAC team. They can locate the leak quickly and get you up and running again.
An Ounce of Prevention with Affordable Fixes
One of the best ways to prevent future air conditioning smells and take the guesswork out of the picture is to have an annual servicing set up. We offer maintenance plans so you have peace of mind. Also, check and replace your air filters regularly.
For more information about our 5-star professional services, you can call 215-770-3270 to ask questions or set up a free appraisal. For your convenience, we have an online contact form, or email us at info@affordablehvacpa.com. We are happy to identify the smell from your air conditioner and fix it quickly.
