AC smells and what they mean?

Sometimes your air conditioner may emit the most unusual smells, refraining you from running the system to prevent the whole house from stinking. Here are a few common AC smells and their meaning.

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Stinky feet

When stagnant water sits inside a clogged drain pan, it can create smell similar to stinky feet. While the smell is not a health hazard it does make one very uncomfortable. Moreover, standing water can quickly cause mold growth. Begin by unclogging the drain pan and replacing the filter. It is a good idea to call a professional if you are having a hard time locating the problem.

Musty Odor

If your house begins to smell musty, this could indicate towards mildew or mold growing somewhere inside the air conditioning. This should not come as a surprise as AC units get rid of excess moisture from the air as they cool. The process of dehumidification causes the water to amass on the evaporator coils and it begins to drip inside the drain pan. In case the water does not drain away or evaporate, mold starts growing in merely 24 to 48 hours leading to the musty odor.

It is best to replace the air filter to make sure the drain pan remains empty.

Rotting Garbage

A rodent or a small bird can easily get into air ducts. If by chance the animal gets stuck inside, it may die and start decomposing. Then, whenever you turn on the AC, it will blow in the smell of rotting garbage. While the thought may make you nauseous, a dead animal is not dangerous. Still, you should undoubtedly call up a professional to remove the remains and clean up the ductwork.

Smell of Vinegar

Does the house air conditioner emit smell similar to that of vinegar? The smell may go away if you shut off the AC and may come back if you start the machine. The scenario perfectly describes a motor releasing ozone. The strong vinegar odor is harmless but if you have allergies, consider calling a professional.

Old Tobacco

Stale tobacco smoke that comes out of an AC vent is very unpleasant, but the odor simply means the air filter and condenser coil have soaked up old cigarette smoke. In case you smoke heavily, it is a good idea to schedule regular AC maintenance to prevent the residue of smoke on the coils from causing problems.

An air filter replacement and good cleaning are normally all you have to do to eliminate old tobacco smoke from the AC vents.

If you are looking for the best way to get rid of awkward smells from your AC then it is best to hire a professional HVAC maintenance provider. The provider can answer all your questions and perform the required repairs and cleaning to make your house smell better while the air conditioner is running.

AC Maintenance and Repair Guide for House Owners

Air conditioner-related tasks should be on your list as soon as spring arrives. Before calling your house AC repair contractor, you must know that there are repair and maintenance items that most homeowners can tackle on their own!

Get your house ready for hot weather with our AC repair and maintenance guide:

A/C maintenance:

There are several benefits of regular maintenance:

1. AC maintenance enhances the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner. This reduces your energy bills while giving you a comfortable temperature indoors.
2. AC maintenance helps to lengthen the life of the system. Keep your machine working for a longer period of time while avoiding any chances of early replacement.
3. Air conditioner maintenance prevents the requirement for AC repairs. When you repair regularly you are less likely to undergo system breakdowns in summers.
4. Hire an a/c technician for performing maintenance every year. This prized service enhances performance, protects pocketbook and prevents repairs.

While it is best to contact an air conditioning technician for performing this service, there are several procedures any house owner can complete on their own for keeping the system in shape.

1. Clean the unit off. Keeping the outer a/c condenser clear and free of obstructions permits air to pass through without any trouble. This removes stress and keeps the unit working in top condition.
2. Clean indoor registers and vents. As air flows through the house, dirt and dust can stick to your registers and vents. This may not just make the house dirtier, but reduce indoor air quality.
3. Change the air filter. Filters should be changed every two months, depending on the kind of filter you use. It’s a good idea to create a regular schedule – mark filter changing dates on a calendar, and make it a point to check the calendar every month.
4. Keep any pests out. When pests get inside an HVAC machine, they can create havoc. Their leftovers and presence have a negative effect on the indoor quality of the air. Pest-proof your air conditioning components to keep critters out!

A/C repair:

Air conditioners can be complicated. If you’re not sure about how they work, it can get very difficult when issues start to occur. A professional repair technician can easily fix system problems. Irrespective of the issue, it is a good idea to run through simple A/C troubleshooting before hiring a technician.

1. Check the power – make sure to check all the switches by the condenser outside or air handler indoors. Also, examine the breaker powering the system at the electrical panel of the house.
2. Thermostat settings – if the air conditioner is blowing hot air, it could be because of the thermostat. Check to see if the thermostat has batteries and is working properly.
3. If your air conditioner begins to ice over, it will not be able to function properly. It is best to call for air conditioning repair.

If you are not confident about performing an air conditioning repair yourself, stay safe and call for professional help!

Is it time to replace your AC unit?

This is an important question many homeowners ask when their air conditioning units have crossed over eight to ten years of usage. Old air conditioning units are probably oversized and provide inefficient energy savings and improper cooling to your home’s indoors. If your old unit is too noisy or does not cool properly, then it’s time you consider replacing it for a better model that can reduce environmental impact, improve comfort and lower energy bills. Another important fact that must be noted is that older AC units use ozone-depleting refrigerants. Newer models in the market use refrigerants that are safer and beneficial for the environment. You also need to know that if you don’t replace your old unit at the right time, it could cause serious contamination for your indoors and also encounter massive failure. This could prove to be a costly mess to clean up. So, replace your unit quickly to save money in the long run and also benefit from sustained energy efficiency. It all comes down to these three points to help you determine if you should replace your system or not.

• The life of the AC unit has exceeded 10 or 15 years of usage.
• The AC unit is very loud during operation.
• The AC has completely failed to function.
• Maintaining the AC unit has become too expensive due to its recurring problems.

If you encounter one or more of the given list of points mentioned above, then you should consider replacing your unit. When you buy a new AC unit, take care to purchase one that operates above a 10 SEER level in energy savings. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and homeowners can use this information to buy a unit that mentions 10 or above in SEER level. There is another advantage of gaining incentives when a new unit is purchase. There are many states in America that offer special incentives when you buy a high efficiency model. Federal tax credits are also made available and homeowners should take advantage of it. There are a few advantages you can enjoy if you replace your old unit and they are:-

1. New Government Standards – There are new standards set by the Federal Government for every homeowner who replaces or purchases a new AC unit with a high SEER rating. You can get a new system that cools efficiently and saves you on energy bills every month.

2. Good Return on Investment – Replacing an old unit depends on its efficiency and size. Buying a unit with a high SEER rating may prove to be expensive at present but will save you money in the long run due to its capacity to run efficiently and save on energy. 

3. Environmentally Friendly – Not many homeowners know that AC units that were purchased before the year 2010 used a refrigerant known as the R-22. This is the very same refrigerant that is causing the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer which protects the environment. Due to this, the EPA has banned manufacturers from making air conditioners with this particular refrigerant, which was responsible of releasing harmful amounts of chemicals into the air. If you buy or replace your old unit, you can do your part in protecting the environment. 

4. Reduce Maintenance Costs – An old unit will add to your electric bills and maintenance costs as well. A new unit can save up to 20% of your energy bills and prove to be an efficient cooling system during the hot weather.

5. Reduce Humidity levels – Sometimes you may feel that are some areas in your home that are really warm while there are some areas that are really cool. This is due to improper insulation, leaky ducts or faulty equipment. It may also be possible that you installed an improperly sized AC unit for your home. This in turn increases humidity levels in the home which results in improper cooling. A new unit can solve the problem as you can check if the system is of the right size for your home. You can also ask your contractor to check if your home is properly insulated and ducts are free from harmful particulates and working properly. They can also check to see if your home’s thermostat is working properly to make sure that you save on energy bills and run the system according to your family’s schedule.

The whole process may seem daunting or expensive but replacing an old unit with a new energy efficient model will be the right decision to make. However make sure that whatever unit you purchase, maintenance comes first. This will ensure that your system has a long life and cools your home efficiently for many more years to come.

DIY Tips for Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance at Home

Preventing cooling problems at home is always wiser than to fix them. Regular maintenance of you’re A/C system will be time and effort well spent. Like any other machine that needs regular tuning, an air conditioner that is well-maintained will function more efficiently. There may not be many repairs you can do yourself as there are specific procedures to follow to keep your air conditioner operating at full efficiency. These tasks can only be carried out by a contractor who is well versed in repairing a cooling system. 

Before starting any work on your unit, make sure that the power to the system is off, especially the evaporator and condenser. Air conditioners are expensive systems and it is imperative that you undertake regular maintenance and avoid costly repairs. You can follow some simple DIY servicing tips to keep your system running like new every time.

• Switch off the power – The main power must always be turned off before commencing work. After that locate the capacitor by following directions provided by the unit’s manufacturer.
• Oil the fan motor and clean the condenser – Your condenser will be covered with dust after a period of usage, so you can clean it with a brush. After this remove the cover grill and setscrew containing the fan. This way you can gain access to the oil ports and lubricate the fan motor as specified by the manufacturer. An air conditioning contractor will probably charge around $700 to service the condenser and fan. However you can avoid this expense by doing it yourself.
• Clean the condenser coils – Using a garden hose you can clean the condenser coils by removing the coil guard. Then spray the inside unit to prevent the accumulation of water-soaked debris. The fins inside can be straightened if bent and cleaned with a fin comb.
• Inspect and adjust belts and pulleys – Belts and pulleys need to be checked periodically as worn out pulleys and loose belts will decrease air flow, shorten the compressor’s life and increase operating costs.
• Check and calibrate the thermostat – Did you know that every degree your air conditioner operates below the 78 degree mark will add 5-8 percent of your energy costs. So an improperly regulated thermostat can cause the unit to run longer than necessary.
• Recycle the refrigerant – An improper refrigerant charge can go unnoticed and increase operating costs or cause compressor shutdown. You need to hire a professional for replacing the refrigerant if is damaged beyond repair. During this process, you need to ensure that no harmful, toxic gases are leaked into the atmosphere.
• Record system temperature and pressure – Maintaining an accurate record of your system’s vital data can indicate future problems, which in turn can be averted.
• Service the filters – The most important component of an air conditioning unit is the air filter. The air that we breathe is purified by the working of the filter. If proper cleaning is not undertaken on a regular basis, then fungi and bacteria will make its way inside your home. To clean the filter, detach the casing that includes the filter. Clean the air filter with a cloth and non-abrasive soap and water. To enhance the life of the filter, you need to repeat this procedure every two weeks. Before reattaching the filter to the unit, ensure that it is completely bone dry.
• Replacement of filter – If the foam air filter is too worn out, you need to avoid using it. You can purchase a plastic electrostatic mesh filter from your local supplier which will cost around $7. Rinse it with clean water and cut the new filter with a pair of scissors. Allow it to dry completely and then install it inside.
• Service the ducts – To help remove dust and debris from the ducts, you need to clean it regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
• Undertake routine checkups – You need to check various parts like breakers, fuses and the thermostat on a regular basis and ensure that all are properly connected.

By following a regular maintenance schedule mentioned here, you can handle most problems that surface from your window or central air conditioning unit.