When the weather is temperate, you may not pay much attention to your residential air conditioning system. And for this reason, some homeowners will fall off on their maintenance schedule under the impression that it is a waste of money since they are not using the AC. However, this increases the chance of your HVAC system degrading. Before your AC malfunctions in its entirety, a symptom that you should be wary of is strange smells. It is imperative to know how to interpret the smells, since they help in diagnosing the underlying problem. So what does that odour from your residential air conditioning indicate?
Sweaty socks
This odour tends to manifest during the summer. Nonetheless, simply because it comes and goes does not mean that you should ignore it. When your air conditioning system is in constant use during the months characterised by scorching heat, ice can end up accumulating inside the AC. This buildup of ice can be attributed to the fact that your residential air conditioning system is working overtime to cool your entire home. As the ice forms, it melts and moisture collects inside the AC. Over time, the moisture becomes a breeding ground for mould, and as the spores are dispersed from the AC, you begin to catch whiffs of seemingly smelly socks. Take note that the moisture is also collecting bacteria, so it is critical to seek residential AC repairs immediately.
Rotten eggs
If your residential air conditioning system runs on gas, you should be suspicious of the sudden onset of rotten eggs smelling in your home. Pure gas is odourless. However, most companies that provide gas will add a few sulfuric compounds to the gas so that a leak is easily detected by the rancid smell of rotten eggs. Hence, if you notice this odour in your home and you do not have a cache of eggs that are past their shelf life, you potentially have a gas leak from the line leading to your air conditioning system. The first thing you should do is open all the windows in your home and leave the premises. Secondly, call AC technicians immediately so that they can establish the source of the leak.
Exhaust smoke
Your residential air conditioning system requires a range of fluids to stay in working order. Nevertheless, if maintenance is neglected or if the air conditioning system is ageing, the receptacle directing the fluids could spring leaks. When the fluids start leaking internally and come into contact with the motor of the system, you may begin to smell exhaust smoke in your home. Switch off your AC system and seek immediate repairs or you may have to replace the system altogether.
If you have recently moved into a property which has an HVAC system installed, it may seem like a bit of a mystery to you. However, this doesn't have to be the case. If you take the time to do a little bit of research into how the system is constructed and how to operates, you will be able to ensure that it is supplying you with air which is at just the right temperature. If any problems develop you will be able to diagnose them. My brother who is an HVAC contractor has given me some top tips which I would like to share with you.