Air conditioning is necessary for indoor comfort, especially after a long day in the heat. Moreover, you depend on a functional AC to beat the scorching heat and maintain a healthy atmosphere. With this in mind, it can be worrying when your AC starts emitting weird smells when operating. Since it can be difficult to ascertain the cause of the smell from a visual inspection, you should hire an AC service technician. They will check to see the problematic components and fix them to prevent future malfunctions. The following are problematic odors from your AC.

It Smells Like Car Exhaust Fumes

Since an AC does not have an engine running on oil, you should not have car exhaust fumes from the vents. Note that fumes similar to car exhaust from your AC indicate a refrigerant leak. This may result from formicary corrosion in the line set, causing the coolant to leak. Moreover, excessive vibrations from the condenser can loosen the access fittings on the line set. As a result, the refrigerant leaks, producing a hissing noise and emitting car exhaust fumes. If overlooked, this issue can cause high internal pressure build-up, causing compressor burnout.

Emits an Odor Similar to Something on Fire

You may notice a faint burning whiff when you first turn on your cooling appliance after a long period of dormancy. This is due to dust which burns off after accumulating on the evaporator coil. Unfortunately, a more pungent burning smell indicates an electrical malfunction. This may result from loose wires contacting each other, causing a short circuit. Consequently, the wiring insulation will melt and emit an acrid burning plastic odor. In such a case, you should employ the services of an AC repair expert to rectify the electrical malfunction for seamless operation.

Smells Moldy

If cool air from the vents smells musty, your AC could be leaking. This may result from a deteriorating condensate tube that leaks water from the drain pan. Ultimately, the wet conditions lead to mold growth and mold spores spreading to your home. Additionally, high humidity levels can cause mold growth in the ducts, resulting in the AC smelling musty.

The Smell Resembles Rotten Eggs

This odor indicates a leak in the lines supplying natural gas. Note that these lines can wear down over time and leak gas as they run parallel to the ducts. On the other hand, critters can invade and die in your ductwork and emit a foul smell when they decay. Thus, you must ensure regular ductwork cleaning to clear pests and patch holes to prevent leaks.

An AC emitting off-putting odors will cause discomfort in your home. Therefore, you should schedule routine maintenance checks with an AC contractor to ensure your system is in good working order. 

Contact a professional for more information about your air conditioning system. 

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