Since it’s about time to feel the summer heat, air conditioners giving off a bad smell is never a good sign. Aside from discomfort, it can also expose dwellers to health risks. Moreover, each smell coming from air conditioners can also mean different things, which require urgent attention.
To determine the cause of the foul smell coming from your air conditioner, get familiar with the list below:
Electrical or burning smell
It is common for air conditioners to give off an electrical smell. However, that is not normal, and that requires immediate attention as it might indicate a mechanical issue in your AC’s fan or compressor. It might also indicate a wiring issue or an electrical component failure.
Air conditioning systems are made from different metals and chemicals. So, when you start to smell electrical or burning odours, call an air-con technician to distinguish the problem and fix it as soon as possible. It is best to find an air-conditioning provider local to you, so if you are located in the Cobham area, for example, look for one that has a service page like www.sub-cool-fm.co.uk/air-conditioning-cobham/.
Exhaust fumes
Another smell that your air conditioner might produce is exhaust fumes. While not all ACs utilize gas to work, your AC might still smell like exhaust fumes if fluids leak from particular components in your unit. Contact your trusted technician right away to determine the problem once you notice this smell coming from your air conditioning unit. Prolonged exposure to exhaust fumes can lead to serious health problems as they can deplete oxygen in the bloodstream when inhaled.
Gunpowder smell
A gunpowder smell might indicate a burned circuit board or fan motor. Exposure to this kind of smell can pose respiratory health risks. Usually, air conditioners switched on after a prolonged dormant period produce this smell. So, it is best to conduct regular maintenance on your systems or ask a professional to inspect the unit before starting it up after disuse.
Rotten egg smell
If there is no rotten egg around, but the room smells like one, it might be due to a leaking natural gas entering your ventilation system. It might also indicate a pest problem or a dead animal near your attic or ductwork. Given these possibilities, it’s vital to have them checked. Call a pest control company for help if the culprit is a pest.
Musty or mould odours
If there’s a musty smell from your air conditioner, it might be due to mould buildup. Mould starts to grow in your air ducts when moisture doesn’t properly drain from your unit. To avoid this problem, conduct air duct cleaning to remove condensate drain lines.
Chemical aromas
There are many underlying reasons for air conditioning units giving off the smell of chemicals. It includes open chemical containers, ozone smells, recently done ductwork, freon leaks, etc.
What should my air conditioner smell like?
A perfectly working air conditioner should not give off an odd smell. Once you notice an odour coming from your unit, ask a technician to assess the problem right away.
Conclusion
Finally, you can now determine whether your AC needs checking whether it gives off an unnatural smell. Don’t prolong the problem once you notice any changes in the air quality in your space, as particular odours pose health risks.
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