Air conditioner issues can take many forms. You might notice that there’s an AC problem because of a strange noise, because it’s turning on and off constantly, or because your home just isn’t getting as cool, or as evenly cool, as you have every right to expect. But did you know that some air conditioner problems can also cause foul odors?
Your air conditioner should not smell. It simply should not noticeably change the smell of the air in your home at all. If you notice an odor coming from your air conditioner, you need AC repair.
So … what’s causing that smell? We can help you figure it out.
Mildew
This is a familiar odor that you have no doubt smelled many times in your life. But if it’s coming from your air conditioner, you might simply notice it throughout your house and not know where it’s coming from. But you need to find the source, because if you smell mildew, there’s mold growing somewhere! Why would it be in your air conditioner?
Your indoor unit’s evaporator coils get extremely cold. Just like on the surface of a cold drink can, moisture from the air will condense to the outside of the coils. This is normal, so there’s a system in place to deal with it: a condensate pan for the water to drip into, with a drain for it to flow out and away from your house.
Any place where there’s moisture is a potential environment for mold, especially if the condensate pan didn’t get cleaned during routine maintenance this spring, or if the drain gets clogged. You need AC repair.
Sourness
Just like the mold, bacteria can also grow in that same water source. This won’t have the same odor, and can be quite sour, like vinegar. But it has the same solution: a qualified professional must disassemble and thoroughly clean the system and check to see if the condensate pan’s drain needs repair.
Heat
A hot smell from anything electrical is never a good sign! This could be the smell of burning dust, overheated plastic like the coatings on electrical wires starting to melt, or even the smell of fish. Why would there be a fishy odor? Because both electrical fires and decomposing sea creatures give off ammonia. Any odor that could be heat or fire is a serious concern.
Begin by turning off your air conditioner. It’s simply not worth the risk of continuing to let it run. You need repairs urgently to keep yourself, your family, and your home safe. Don’t turn the AC back on until it’s had professional AC repair in Collegeville, PA.
If you have any concerns about your air conditioner, whether you smell something odd that’s not on this list, or you notice some other reason to suspect an AC problem, prompt repair makes a big difference. Catch problems while they’re small and keep repairs simple and quick.
Contact Platinum Plumbing & Heating, Inc. today to schedule an appointment with our pros.