The only thing you want your AC blowing is nice, cool air. However, it can sometimes blow smoke from the vents, leaving you concerned.
Are you asking yourself, “Why is my AC blowing smoke?” Read on as we look at some of the potential reasons for this and how scheduling professional AC repair in Kingwood, TX, can help.
Potential Reasons the AC in Your Kingwood Home Is Blowing Smoke
In Texas, air conditioning problems are more than a minor inconvenience. Can you imagine braving the Texas heat without an optimally functioning air conditioning unit?
Unfortunately, given how frequently you run your air conditioner, issues are bound to appear. One such issue is smoke blowing from your unit.
Here are a few reasons why this could happen.
AC Water Vapor Issue
As concerning as the situation might be, the smoke you’re seeing might not even be smoke at all; it could be water vapor.
Your AC unit works by removing the heat from your home’s indoor air. This process always produces condensation as a result. If the condensation builds up because of a clogged drain line, it can turn to vapor and escape through the vents along with the cooled air.
Cold, Dry Air Is Hitting Warm Air
Have you ever gone out on a cold day and noticed your breath is visible? The same can happen with your AC unit.
When the warm, humid air in your Kingwood home meets the cold, dry air coming from your air conditioner, condensation will occur. To you, this will appear as fog or white smoke. Fortunately, this vapor will dissipate as your home continues to cool down.
Refrigerant Line Leak
Are you wondering, “Why is my AC blowing smoke?” The smoke could sometimes mean that your unit’s refrigerant line might have developed a leak. Such leaks often result in the AC coil freezing and forming ice.
Once the ice melts, you may start to notice your air conditioning unit producing steam or smoke. It’s important to have your refrigerant refilled and identify the source of the leak.
Overheating
If an unusual smell accompanies the smoke, your AC unit likely has a more serious issue. For instance, your air conditioner could be overheating, mostly because of the blocked vents or dirty air filters. Such factors restrict the amount of air passing through your unit and its various internal components.
Electrical Problems
In addition to the several components your air conditioning unit houses, it also has multiple wires and electrical connections. It isn’t uncommon for these wires to become corroded or develop certain issues. When this happens, foul-smelling smoke could start coming out of your AC unit.
Burnt Out Fan Motor
Though even a new AC system can produce smoke, this is more common with older units.
Every appliance in your home is bound to degrade over time, and your air conditioning unit is no different. For instance, when your AC’s fan motor degrades and burns out, you may begin noticing foul-smelling smoke.
Got Smoke Coming From Your AC? Here’s What To Do About It
Why is my AC blowing smoke? Does it mean my air conditioning unit is at risk of malfunction? Is there anything I can do to fix it?
Seeing smoke coming out of your AC unit will have you asking these and more questions. Unfortunately, answering them might not be as straightforward. Luckily, there are a few tips that can help you manage the situation better.
Does the Smoke Have a Foul Smell?
One of the first things you should do is determine if a foul odor is accompanying the smoke you’re seeing. If there’s no smell, chances are the smoke is vapor. While this still points to an issue with your unit, it might not be as serious.
However, if you detect a foul or burning smell, your unit is probably overheating or has an electrical fault. In such a case, you should turn off your AC immediately.
Contact a Professional
The next step should be to contact a professional and allow them to conduct a cooling system inspection. They’ll evaluate your unit, precisely pinpointing the cause of the problem and how best to resolve it.
Get Professional AC Repair in Kingwood, TX
Are you asking yourself, “Why is my AC blowing smoke?” Attempting to fix it will do nothing but expose you to the many dangers of DIY AC repair. Instead, reach out to Crew Heating and Cooling and let our seasoned professionals provide the answers you need.