While you expect your AC to quickly cool your home as the temperatures stay high in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, you don’t expect a horrible smell coming from it. This odor can indicate a small AC problem or a bigger one you need to fix ASAP. Check out what that smell is and what causes it.
Exhaust Fumes
It’s possible to pick up something that smells like exhaust fumes you smell outside on the street. This scent might happen when the motor overheats or the wiring is bad. You may even detect a gunpowder smell coming from the AC, which indicates you should shut it off, stop using it and call a professional right away.
Musty Smell
If you pick up a musty smell when you use the AC, check the drain pan. This pan collects excess moisture and allows it to safely drain away from the system. A musty smell can develop if the pan has a clog that keeps it from draining.
Dirty Socks
You may expect to smell something musty in your laundry room but not when you turn on your AC. This smell comes from with biological growth on your condenser coils, evaporator coils or other internal system components. Not only will the coils produce this smell, but they can overheat due to the buildup hindering heat transfer.
Chemicals
A chemical scent that goes along with a poor functioning AC often tells you that the refrigerant line has a leak. Refrigerant is a common chemical that works throughout the heat pump to cool/heat the air and remove humidity. Because refrigerant is toxic (even the more modern, eco-friendlier types), you’ll need to hire a professional for any refrigerant line repairs.
General Dirt
On top of all these smells, you might notice a generally dirty scent lingering in the air. This often develops due to an air filter becoming clogged with dust and debris. Replacing the filter regularly can prevent this smell.
Make your AC smell good again and prevent bad odors from developing with the help of professional HVAC maintenance. Reach out to us at Lunsford Air Conditioning and Heating for help in solving ‘smelly’ AC problems or to ask about an upgrade to a new and improved AC system.
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