Why Does My AC Smell? (And What to Do)

If you live in Houston, air conditioning is an essential appliance in your home. It helps to regulate temperature and can also improve indoor air quality. However, like any other appliance, an AC unit needs to be properly maintained to function properly. Neglecting an AC unit can lead to several problems, including a foul smell and reduced efficiency.

In many cases, bad smells from the AC indicate something wrong with the system. However, it’s not always easy to identify the problem by smelling it. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms you’re experiencing and to call a qualified AC repair technician as soon as possible.

A Musty Smell

Mould and mildew can often cause musty smells in your AC, as well as dirt and other debris. This is not an uncommon problem, and many people with air-conditioners have experienced it to some degree.

The darkness and dampness in your AC provide the ideal setting for mold growth. When moisture in the system does not escape properly, mold can grow. Mold spores may be blown into your home and distributed by the AC itself as a result of this.

Because mold spores can cause respiratory problems and asthma attacks, keeping your ac unit clean and mold-free is necessary. While you can clean and replace most filters, an HVAC expert will thoroughly clean the system by delving into the system’s internals. This can reduce the likelihood of the problem recurring.

Rotten Eggs or Sulphur

There is no mistaking the smell of sulfur or rotten eggs – it is a sign of a natural gas leak, which can be extremely dangerous. Natural gas is normally odorless, but manufacturers must add a chemical that gives it a distinctive smell. That way, you can be alerted to a leak as soon as it happens.

Do not attempt to fix the problem yourself – open the doors and windows to ventilate your home, then call the gas company for assistance.

The Smell Of Something Burning

When you smell something burning, it’s important to take action immediately. It could indicate an electrical or mechanical problem, such as faulty wiring or an overexerted motor. These issues can pose serious fire hazards, so it’s crucial to immediately turn off your air conditioner and contact an experienced technician. Evacuation may be necessary to ensure your safety.

Stale Cigarette Smoke 

Cigarette smoking indoors can significantly impact the quality of your indoor air. Cigarette smoke will gather in your air conditioner’s filter over time, causing an unpleasant odor when the AC is switched on. Furthermore, second-hand smoke can create respiratory problems for nonsmokers in the home, even after the cigarette has been extinguished. Consider cleaning your air conditioner and changing the filter regularly to improve indoor air quality. It is also preferable to avoid smoking cigarettes indoors entirely; instead, smoke outside.

Smelly Feet

There are few things worse than dealing with a smelly AC unit. This often indicates that dirt and grime is clogging up your system. Not only is this unpleasant, but it can also lead to health problems. Luckily, there is a way to get rid of this problem once and for all. Simply contact a technician to have your AC professionally cleaned. This will remove any dirt, debris, or bad smells, leaving you with a fresh and clean unit that works properly.

General Rotting Smell 

You may notice an unpleasant smell coming from your air conditioner. This is most likely due to a dead animal that has become stuck in the AC unit. Small animals like mice and birds often seek shelter in warm, accessible parts of your home and can easily get into your AC unit. Once they die, they will start to decompose and cause an unpleasant odor. You may not be able to see or remove the dead animal yourself, so it is best to contact an AC technician to handle it for you.

Other Smells

Your air conditioner is designed to keep your home cool and comfortable, but sometimes it can develop strange smells. While some odors may be harmless, others could indicate a more serious problem.

Masking the smell with air fresheners or other products is unhelpful and could worsen the odor. It’s important to have a technician diagnose the problem so that it can be addressed immediately.

Ignoring a smelly air conditioner could lead to bigger problems down the road, so it’s best to nip the issue in the bud as soon as possible.

How to Reduce the Chances of a Smelly Air Conditioner

Your air conditioning unit is a key part of making your home a comfortable place to live. Regularly servicing your AC system can avoid potential problems and keep your unit running smoothly.

An AC maintenance plan ensures that your unit is regularly inspected, cleaned, and repaired. This helps prevent issues from developing and allows them to be caught in the early stages.

Taking care of your air conditioning unit has many benefits – it helps to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter and also purifies the air around you. It’s important to pay attention to your AC unit to notice when something isn’t working right, like strange noises or smells.

Act quickly when you notice an issue with your AC system to resolve the problem. Then, schedule regular maintenance going forward to ensure a happy and healthy home.

The Five Biggest Mistakes That HVAC Contractors Make

The Five Biggest Mistakes That HVAC Contractors Make 

When you need help with the air conditioning in your house, several things could occur. Your home remains comfortable throughout the spring, summer, and early fall due to the airflow created by an air conditioner, but you should also know what to expect when you order repairs or service. Take a look at the five mistakes most AC contractors when servicing or repairing these devices. 

01. Never Completing an Inspection

Your air conditioner might falter or breakdown at any time, and you should contact a repair technician as soon as possible. When the technician comes to your home, you should lead them to the device and explain what happened. However, the technician should not focus on a particular issue. 

A proper AC repair professional will complete a full inspection of the house and all related units before offering an estimate or writing a punch list. This inspection should include the indoor furnace, blower, filters, vents, exposed ducts, and ductless units. HVAC professionals must also inspect the outdoor condenser and any pipes or tubes leading to the house. 

If wires are exposed, those should be inspected. If you have window units, both the interior and exterior sides of the unit must be checked for damage or faults. This is doubly important because most of these devices take on weather damage throughout the year. Ask the technician to check the mounting bracket, and ask them if the device should be reinstalled. 

02. Not Replacing Filters

The filters in an AC unit can clog and cause the system to run poorly or stop altogether. The AC Filter is an essential part of the air conditioning system, and if you need more confirmation of this, you can read this article at https://www.motorverso.com/ac-filter-essential-part-of-heating-air-conditioning/.  While a repair technician should look deep in the system to find any lingering problems, they should still check the filters. It is easy to replace the filters, and any debris left behind is easy to clean out of the furnace or ductless device.

Ask the technician if they recommend a certain type of filter for the unit. If you have specific medical needs or suffer from a compromised immune system, you may prefer a filter that is most appropriate for a medical office or hospital. 

03. Not Checking the Thermostat

Technicians should check the thermostat as part of a routine inspection, but it should also come off the wall. Replacing the batteries often makes quite a difference, or the device itself may be damaged. Replacing the thermostat is also an option. A malfunctioning thermostat may cause the AC unit to run improperly. 

Ask the technician if they recommend a specific thermostat for your AC unit. They might also have new thermostats on their vehicle. If you have a smart thermostat, ask them to help you test the app and ensure everything connects properly. 

04. Avoiding Exterior Units

AC technicians must check all external units to ensure they work properly. For example, a technician can remove the casing on the condenser, check the system, and clean the fan or coils. Homeowners might also have special blowers for large ductless units throughout the house. Because these devices are often all different ages, they all require a thorough inspection. 

05. Not Completing an Assessment of the Service Life of the Device

You must ask for an assessment of the service life of your AC unit. When you work with a technician, they will tell you how much longer the device can last. If you have several years of life left in the unit, you can continue using it without overspending to buy a new one. 

If you want to purchase a new unit, buying it from a licensed dealer such as Ace Comfort of Houston is better than buying from another source. You might spend too much, and you still need to find someone who will install the device for you. 

Know What You Should Get From an HVAC Contractor

When you have issues with your air conditioning, call a technician as soon as possible. There are several things that a repair professional can do in your home, and you must understand how to get value for your money. Ask the HVAC company about these things before your appointment, and point out anything you believe the technician missed while they are in your home. These simple steps ensure that your AC works properly throughout the year, keeps your family comfortable, and improves indoor air quality.

Regular AC Maintenance and Repair Tips to Keep Your Air Conditioner in Top Shape

Winter is around the corner, and the dense clouds are preparing to give way for the winter storm. And, of course, you are making necessary preparations to winterize your home, including repairing roof leaks, insulating water lines, cleaning out gutters, installing insulation, and last but not least, scheduling your annual AC maintenance service. The air conditioning system plays a critical role during winter and summer. It helps to maintain ideal temperatures in your home. It is good practice to have the systems serviced at least once a year, preferably before the onset of winter. However, there are other essential things to do alongside the maintenance to keep the AC in good working condition. They include the following:

Get Professional Maintenance

Like your car, your AC requires regular servicing to protect it from costly and unexpected breakdowns. It is essential to schedule a biannual or annual inspection and maintenance for your unit. During the checkup, the AC technician will inspect the system for any malfunctioning parts, leaks, and other problems that require repair. In addition to that, they’ll do the following:

  • Check and clean refrigerant, fans, blowers, coils, and controls
  • Inspect and replace filter and fan belts
  • Evaluate temperature and pressure
  • Lubricate bearings and motors
  • Inspect components and wiring

Don’t Overwork Your AC

Overworking your unit reduces its efficiency and lifespan. There are a variety of crucial things you can perform to reduce the strain on your AC, including:

  • Insulate the home properly
  • Install thick blinds on sun-facing windows
  • Cover windows with drapes and blinds during the day
  • Run fans instead of the whole system
  • Drink plenty of water during summer to stay cool
  • Dress warmly and drink hot beverages during winter to warm up your body

Replace Filter

One of the essential components of the AC filter. It cleans up the air entering and exiting the system by removing dust, debris, allergens, and cigarette smoke particles. An old and clogged filter causes inefficient airflow in the system and reduces the quality of air inside the home. Essentially, you should replace the filter once every three months. However, it is advisable to change it once every month during the high-use season – winter and summer.

Fix Air Leaks

The system is overworked when air is leaking in and out of the home. Windows and ducts are the biggest culprits when it comes to air leaks. If you truly want to control the air temperatures in your home, try to keep your windows closed. Also, keep the drapes down during the day, more so during the scorching days of summer. This is because windows allow in a lot of heat that can interfere with indoor temperatures. A lot of heat and cold air is also lost through the system’s ductwork. You can avoid air leakage through the ductwork in three ways:

  • Sealing and refitting poorly installed ducts.
  • Increasing insulation around ducts.
  • Using metal tape, foil tape, or mastic sealant to cover leaks and holes.

Keep the Unit Clean

The most significant rule in AC maintenance is keeping it clean. The parts that require cleaning include refrigerants, fans, blowers, and coils. Pay attention to conditioner fins when cleaning up the AC. They play a critical role in cooling and distributing air, but they are prone to dust and debris buildup. They require frequent vacuuming to ensure adequate airflow into the system. Use a brush with soft-bristles to vacuum the fins. But do it cautiously to avoid crushing or bending the fins because they are quite fragile.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A great way of extending the life of your air conditioner is by installing a programmable thermostat. This kind of thermostat uses automated settings to regulate indoor temperatures. In this system, you feed the temperatures you need for different times of the day only once. This, of course, enables you to control heating and cooling based on your needs. For instance, you can set the temperature high during the night and lower for the day. A programmable thermostat not only reduces wastage of energy but also saves you the trouble of resetting the system now and then.

Replace When Necessary

Sometimes, the best way to ensure that you are breathing clean air inside your home is to upgrade your AC. If your unit has lasted ten years and above, you should start warming to the idea of a replacement. An old unit will tend to be less efficient and consume more energy than a new one. Aside from age, it is economically sensible to replace a unit that keeps on breaking down. When buying the unit, check its components and functionality. Also, choose the right size and model for your home. It is advisable to seek advice from an HVAC expert on whether to buy a window or central air conditioner.

Troubleshoot Repairs Promptly

Small issues can grow to enormous and costly problems if they are ignored. So, don’t overlook little signs that require repairs. Here are some tell-tale signs that your AC needs immediate repair:

  • High indoor humidity
  • A failed thermostat
  • Unusual and irritating noise from the AC
  • Unpleasant odors
  • Warm air coming from the AC
  • Inadequate airflow
  • Frequent cycles
  • Water leaks

Protect the Outdoor Unit

The outdoor unit plays a fundamental role in the system. It removes heat from the inside of the home and dumps it outside. Unfortunately, it tends to accumulate debris due to its location. If you want to ensure the maximum efficiency of the unit, you need to keep it free from debris. Also, clear vegetation that has grown around it and removes any obstructing outdoor furniture.

Check the Condenser Unit

The condenser unit fans have to be in good working condition for the system to work efficiently. Inspect the AC frequently to make sure that the fans are in good shape. If the blades are cracked or chipped, replace them. Also, ensure that the fan motor bearing is well lubricated. Your AC plays a vital role in heating and cooling your home. More importantly, it protects the health of your family by improving the quality of indoor air. However, it can only achieve this when it is properly maintained. The above tips will help you maintain your AC in top shape.