Does Your AC Smell Like It's Burning? Issues You Could Be Facing
Posted on: 3 January 2023
If your air conditioner was emitting foul odors last summer, don't wait to do the repairs. This is especially important if you noticed burning odors coming from the air conditioner. Burning odors are a sure sign that there's something wrong with your air conditioner. If you smell burning odors coming from your air conditioner, read the list provided below. Here are four repair issues you might be facing.
Broken Capacitor
If you noticed a burning odor near the outside AC vents, don't use the system until you can take care of the repairs. This type of odor is often a sign that the capacitor is broken. When the capacitor is working properly, it helps the motor maintain efficiency.
But, when the capacitor is broken, the system can overheat. When that happens, you'll smell the burning odor from the outside vents. To protect your air conditioning unit, repair the capacitor before summer arrives.
Worn Belt Drives
If your air conditioner smells like burnt rubber whenever it's running, it's time to repair the belt drives. Your air conditioner is equipped with a belt drive motor. This component can wear out over time. When that happens, the belts don't move the way they should.
As a result, the belts overheat, causing a burning odor. Check the belts. If the belts look burned, you can have them replaced. If you still smell the odor, you'll need to have the belt drive motor repaired.
Motor Problems
If there's a burning odor coming from the air conditioning unit, you could be looking at motor problems. The first thing you should do is get the bearings lubricated. The HVAC technician can take care of that for you. If lubricating the bearings doesn't resolve the odor issue, it's time to repair the motor.
Failure to repair the motor could cause the system to shut down. If that happens, you'll need to pay to replace the motor. But, you'll also need to replace other components that might malfunction once the motor goes out.
Faulty Electrical
If the burning odor coming from your air conditioner smells like burning wires, don't use the system until you can take care of the repairs. A burning electrical odor is a sign that the wires are involved. If you use your air conditioner when the electrical wiring is compromised, you could end up with an electrical fire. Don't take that chance. As soon as you smell burning electrical odors coming from the AC, call for repairs.
For more info about residential air conditioning repair, contact a local company.
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