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As the weather gets warmer, air conditioners become an essential part of our lives. But what do you do when your AC breaks down in the middle of a heatwave? While some issues may require professional help, there are several common AC problems you can fix yourself. Here are the top 5 issues and how to fix them.

Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters are one of the most common AC problems. When the filter becomes clogged, it restricts airflow and reduces the efficiency of the system. This can cause the AC to work harder, leading to higher energy bills and potential breakdowns.

To fix this issue, simply replace the dirty filter with a new one. It’s important to change your filter every 1-3 months, depending on how often you use your AC and the level of dust and debris in your home.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

If your AC is blowing warm air or not cooling your space, it may be due to frozen evaporator coils. This occurs when the coils become too cold and freeze over, restricting airflow and reducing cooling capacity.

To fix this issue, turn off your AC and allow the coils to defrost. This may take several hours, so be patient. Once the coils are fully defrosted, turn the AC back on and check for proper cooling.

Leaking Refrigerant

Leaking refrigerant is another common AC problem that can cause your system to malfunction. If your AC is blowing warm air or making strange noises, it may be due to low refrigerant levels.

To fix this issue, you’ll need to locate the source of the leak and repair it. This can be a tricky process and may require professional help. Once the leak is fixed, the refrigerant can be refilled to the proper level.

Faulty Capacitors

Capacitors are responsible for starting the motor in your AC unit. If the capacitor is faulty, your AC may not turn on or may shut off unexpectedly.

To fix this issue, you’ll need to replace the faulty capacitor. This is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to follow safety precautions and turn off power to the unit before attempting any repairs.

Clogged Condensate Drain Line

The condensate drain line is responsible for removing moisture from your AC unit. Over time, this line can become clogged with dirt, debris, or algae, leading to water leaks and potential water damage.

To fix this issue, locate the drain line and use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any clogs. You can also use a mixture of bleach and water to prevent algae growth and keep the line clear.

Conclusion

While some AC problems may require professional help, these 5 common issues can often be fixed yourself. By understanding how your AC works and performing regular maintenance, you can keep your system running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. Remember to always follow safety precautions and turn off power to the unit before attempting any repairs.

The Rotten Eggs smell from AC

When organic matter decomposes, it releases sulfur into the air, causing a smell like rotten eggs to emit from the decaying flesh. If you live in an area surrounded by natural habitats, or vermin crawling around, then that rotten egg odor problem may be due to an animal that died in your vents

Insects can nest or take refuge in your ductwork and, unfortunately, get trapped in the equipment.

With time, these dying animals emit unpleasant smells. As soon as you turn your air conditioner on, it can discharge a foul smell into your home. Dying or stuck animals can also damage different components within your system.

If you have a ductless/central air conditioning system, lizards and other critters can sometimes go into your indoor unit and make for an unpleasant experience.

It’s best to always pest-proof your unit to avoid such a nasty scenario and having your AC smell like a carcass. You can always call a technician to help remove the dead animal, or you can fix this issue yourself!

You will need to locate the exact duct from where the stench is erupting, use a screw driver to remove the cover, and then carefully remove the carcass. It can be tricky if the dead animal is not in sight. Keep a torch in quick reach. Once removed, gently wipe the area clean and make sure it is dry. It is recommended to have your ductwork checked to ensure nothing is damaged and seal any entry points.

Smell of car Exhaust in AC

An air conditioner does not run on an internal combustion engine. So, there is no reason why your air conditioner should smell like running car exhaust. However, your air conditioner does make use of some fluids, and when heated, they can smell like exhaust fumes.

A smell from an AC such as this most likely means there is a leak in your refrigerant line. A refrigerant is a cooling agent inside your aircon, and a leak can impact the performance of your air conditioning unit. Moreover, it releases chemicals into the air and thus can be hazardous for the environment.

Freon, a chlorofluorocarbon, is a commonly used refrigerant used in your air conditioners, although it is being slowly phased out. Freon absorbs heat from the indoor air, which is released outside. But it can be really dangerous for the environment. Therefore, you should always be careful if you suspect there is a Freon leak.

Whenever you’ve read something regarding a refrigerant leak, you must’ve thought, what does Freon smell like?

A Freon leak would smell like sweet chloroform or, in simpler terms, just like your car’s coolant but with a sweetish odor. Even though it is an almost odorless gas, you can still detect the smell. But Freon, being heavier than air, does not linger around in the air for long, and drops down to floor level pretty quickly.

If your AC is emitting a chemical-like smell, you should get it checked promptly by a professional. A Freon leak can be dangerous, and a certified HVAC specialist will repair it in no time.

In the meantime, crack open the windows and make sure your home is ventilated. This will not only keep the smell out but also prevent any hazardous effects from the chemical leak.

A Burnt smell from AC

There are a lot of electrical components within your air conditioning unit—circuit boards, power wires, fans, and compressors, etc.

If your AC smells like burning gunpowder or plastic, it probably means any one, or even multiple of these components are in fact, burning. In this case, immediately turn your air conditioner off and consult your local professional for a solution.

Do not attempt to do a DIY with this sort of a problem; it can be dangerous.

Another more common reason for such an air conditioner smell is that dust can settle within your unit after a long period of inactivity. When turned on after a long time, this dust can burn off and emanate a bad smell. This is only temporary and is nothing to be too concerned about.

Though if the smell remains, the AC starts to malfunction or the smell is highly pungent, you must turn off your unit and give a call to a HVAC Technician.

AC Smells like Gas

This air conditioner smell is the most alarming one on our list. More often than not, this indicates leakage of gas within the system, specifically, Methyl Mercaptan.

Natural gas on its own has no smell, but utilities and gas distributors put in Methyl Mercaptan to provide a distinctive odor to it. This ensures immediate detection to prevent any serious harm that can occur from gas leakage.

If your AC smells a lot like skunk spray, you won’t be mistaken. This means that gas is leaking and getting into your ductwork. At the first sign of such a smell, immediately turn off your gas supply. As a second step, contact your utility, who will detect the source and repair the problem.

Moldy or Musty AC Smell

A stale and dingy smell is by far the most common and foul smell experienced from ACs. If your AC smells musty, the general cause is the accumulation of water in the drain pan or drip lines (or ducts in case of ducted systems), which can cause fungus or mildew to grow.

In case of a leakage, you might even get visible signs in your indoor ductless unit, such as water dripping down your wall.

Another reason for such a smell can be dirty filters. If you live in a hot and humid climate and turn your AC on after a long period of time, moisture can accumulate in your filters.

You will need to contact a professional and get your AC’s lines and ducts thoroughly cleaned. This will only remove the unpleasant smell. In case of a leakage, the source will also need to be fixed to prevent further problems.

The Cigarette Smell

If you smoke at home, then there are chances that your AC will eventually end up smelling like stale cigarette smoke. This unpleasant smell can cause allergic reactions and headaches.

Your evaporator coil and filter absorb the odor from cigarette smoke. As a result, when you turn on the air conditioner, the embedded tobacco particles are knocked loose and sent back into your home through the AC’s vents, creating an unpleasant atmosphere.

Like all other problems, this problem has a simple solution. To eliminate the old tobacco smoke smell from your AC vents, change your air filter once every 30 to 60 days and clean your AC regularly. You can also start smoking outdoors.

If you are suffering from any of this unbearable smell, Call us Immediately or contact us through the Form below.