Does Your AC Smell Like Sulfur?

There aren’t many people who enjoy the smell of sulfur, and an AC that smells like rotten eggs in Fair Oaks, CA is no exception. If you have central air, that unpleasant odor will quickly spread to your entire home. It’s especially miserable during hot weather—no one wants to go without air conditioning in the late summer and fall, but there’s no way to remove the smell without getting professional cleaning or repairs.

Why your air conditioner smells like sulfur

When you notice a rotten egg smell spreading throughout your home, you should first try to identify where it’s coming from. If it seems to be coming through the AC vents, it’s likely that you have one of three major problems:

• Dead animals: It’s gross, but it happens. Animals can make their way into your home and straight into your ductwork. If they die when they’re in the ducts, your air conditioner will blow air over their decomposing bodies and distribute that smell all throughout your home. The only way to fix this is to thoroughly clean your ducts to remove the animal and any remains that have clung to the ductwork. If you suspect that a dead animal is responsible (which is more common in the winter, when they seek shelter from the cold), turn off your air conditioner. You’ll either need to disassemble your ductwork or have a professional do it. Remove the animal and have the ducts professionally cleaned before you start using your air conditioner once again.
• Sewage: If the sulfur scent has a distinct hint of sewage, you might be dealing with a broken pipe. When pipes break near your HVAC unit, your ducts can pick up that smell and distribute it throughout your home. You’ll need to call a plumber to repair the problems and perform any necessary cleanup.
• Natural gas: Finally, the rotten egg smell could be coming from a natural gas leak. If you’ve ruled out dead animals and sewage as a possibility, you’ll need to call a professional right away. Natural gas leaks can be deadly if left unrepaired, so call your gas company and ask them to shut off the line while you pursue repairs. You may want to open your windows and leave your home to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes.

If your AC stinks in Fair Oaks, CA, don’t delay in calling the professionals. Whether it’s mildly inconvenient or actually deadly, each of these conditions can cause health problems. Some can cause serious damage to your home. The longer you let the problem go, the worse the consequences will get. That’s why it’s always smart to keep your local air conditioner repair company’s number handy—you never know when problems might arise.

Are you having trouble with your heater or air conditioner? Cassel Air Conditioning and Heating Service has three decades of experience helping our customers identify and solve problems with their HVAC units. Call us today to schedule an appointment—we look forward to assisting you soon!

Categorised in: AC Repair

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