Caught a whiff of something foul but can’t find the source no matter where you look? It could be coming from your air conditioner, and depending on the smell, it could mean trouble.
When it comes to unfamiliar smells, knowing what they mean is half the battle. That’s why Bravo Heating and Air Conditioning is here to break down four common AC odors and what they could mean for your San Antonio home!
Burning Smell From Your Vents
When you smell something burning, it’s important to shut off your air conditioner immediately and check every room in your home to ensure that there isn’t a fire. If you can’t find the source of the smell, this could mean that the wiring in your AC’s circuit board or fan motor is shorting out. Attempting to repair wiring yourself is dangerous, so you should always call in a professional to help.
Another reason for this burning smell could be dust settling in your ducts. This can happen when you’re switching your heater on earlier in the colder months of the year. The hot air will heat up your metal ducts and burn off the dust, causing an unpleasant burning smell that usually goes away after about 10 minutes or so.
You AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
The smell of rotten eggs is almost always a sign of a gas line leak. Your AC and furnace share the same ductwork, so if your heater has a gas leak, you may smell rotten eggs when using your AC. If you suspect a gas leak in your home, call 911 or your gas company immediately to report the leak.
Mildew Smells From Your Air Conditioner
A musty smell is one of the most common smells that you’ll likely encounter as a homeowner. This smell is an indicator of mold or fungus growth in your air ducts or AC unit. Humid conditions promote mold and fungus growth, so homes in warm, wet climates will encounter this issue more often.
Since these growths are often in hard to reach areas, it’s best to call in an HVAC technician to clear out your ducts. Without a proper cleaning, that musty air can make you sick as it constantly circulates spores through your home.
Dirty Sock Syndrome
If you smell sweaty socks and you’re sure that you’ve already done all the laundry and cleaned your dirty running shoes, this could mean that your AC is due for a cleaning. When your air conditioner hasn’t been cleaned in a while, it isn’t able to drain properly. A drain line clogged with water, dust and debris can start to smell like dirty socks over time.
Call Bravo For All Your San Antonio AC Repair Needs!
With so many hard to reach places, moving parts and different wires, it’s best to call an experienced technician for anything more complicated than changing out an air filter.
It’s also important to schedule professional AC maintenance at least once per year to catch issues like mold growth and faulty wiring early on. Contact us today at Bravo Heating and Air Conditioning for AC maintenance and repairs you can count on!
