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.

Why should you get an HVAC Maintenance plan?

There are plenty of benefits for your home, if you decide to get an HVAC maintenance plan. Before looking at the advantages, let us first understand what these maintenance plans are all about.

HVAC service contracts are agreements between the HVAC owner and a service provider where the owner has to pay a certain fee to get the company's continual services for the system. The most basic plans include tune ups and checkups, emphasizing the air conditioning before summer and your heating system before the winter. There are also contracts that include services for issues found at the time of checkups, while some comprise of emergency services. The fee of the plan will depend on the number of services included in the contract.

Why sign up?

Here are some of the most lucrative advantages to signing up with a reputed HVAC maintenance provider.

Get protection for your warranty:

Manufacturers of your HVAC will not honor the warranties when the machine is neglected. Most expect owners to get the system maintained twice a year - normally in the fall and spring - and this is exactly what the HVAC system maintenance plan offers. Trained and experienced technicians will visit the house and make sure the system is running smoothly. You will secure your warranty, and the technician will take care of your system.

Enhance the longevity of the HVAC system:

When hiring professionals for maintenance, your air conditioner, furnace, and other HVAC components can last longer. They lubricate and clean the system’s moving parts and check for leaks in the refrigerant and other problems. You are going to get more mileage from your investment. This will save you a lot of money.

Enjoy priority appointments:

Most HVAC service providers value their maintenance plan members so much that they send them right to the priority list when they schedule service appointments during peak seasons. If you have any emergency related to HVAC, you will get a technician to rectify the issue as soon as possible.

Priority treatments can save you discomfort and time when your heater stops working in the extremely cold weather or your air conditioner starts blowing hot air during the summer months.

Energy efficiency:

High energy bills can be a big problem. A maintenance program makes sure that the system keeps on running at optimal efficiency. You will not just spend a lot less on your energy bills, but also decrease carbon footprint. Lesser the energy consumed, more beneficial it is for the environment.

If you hire a qualified technician for inspecting your HVAC system you can identify problems when they can still be fixed easily, instead of waiting till they harm the HVAC system or become too expensive.

One of the biggest investments you can make for your house is to get a good HVAC maintenance plan from a reputed contractor. This will ensure that your expensive system works in its best capacity at all times. It will also ensure that your system remains clean from debris and dust particles, making sure your children breathe fresh air at all times.