Why Your Air Conditioner Is Blowing Out Smoke in Camby, Indiana

Situated minutes away from the Indianapolis International Airport, Camby is a small city renowned for its wide-open spaces and friendly people. It’s also known for its hot summers, so if you’ve come home after a hot day out in Camby, you don’t want to find smoke billowing out of your air conditioner. The situation almost always warrants concern.

Below, discover the top reasons why you see smoke coming out of AC units. Then, call us for AC repair in Camby, IN.

Top Reasons for Smoke Coming Out of AC Units in Camby, Indiana

Few things are more alarming than seeing smoke pour out of your air conditioner. There are several reasons why your unit might be emitting smoke. Some are fairly benign and easy to fix, while others will need quick attention from an HVAC professional. 

Here are the most common reasons why your cooling system may be letting off smoke.

Condensation Issues

Take a whiff of that white stuff flowing out of your air conditioner. Does it smell like smoke, or is it odorless? If it’s the latter, you probably have a condensation issue that’s causing water vapor near or inside your air conditioning unit. 

Water vapor isn’t dangerous, but it can indicate an issue with your cooling unit. For example:

• If your air conditioner is on the older side, it may have a drain hole that allows built-up condensation to escape. The hole can become clogged with debris.
• If the condensation has nowhere to go, it will gather inside your unit.
• If the system’s heat warms up this trapped water, you will see steam, not smoke, coming out of the AC units.

You’ll need to give the condensate drain line and pan a thorough cleaning to fix this issue. You might also consider upgrading to a new air conditioner that makes more efficient use of built-up condensation.

High Humidity

Why might you see smoke coming out of AC units? If there’s an imbalance between the humidity inside your air conditioner and the humidity levels in your home, you’ll likely see a bit of water vapor coming out of the unit. Your air conditioner should stop generating water vapor after running for a few minutes.

A dirty air filter can exacerbate humidity issues, so be sure to change yours regularly. Most cooling system filters in Camby, Indiana, will need replacement every 30 to 90 days. If yours is black and clogged with debris, it’s past time to install a new one.

Overheating Components

Do you notice a burning smell when standing near your air conditioner? If so, your system could be overheating. You might also notice unusual clicking, banging, or whistling noises coming from the unit.

The Air Filter

There are a number of reasons why your system might be overheating, but a clogged air filter is the most likely. A dirty filter impacts airflow and causes your air conditioner to work overtime and overheat. If you see smoke coming out of AC units, you’ll want to replace the filters and allow the units to cool down for a while.

The Refrigerant

Your system may also be overheating due to a refrigerant leak. If refrigerant is leaking out of your unit, you’ll notice decreased cooling power and, possibly, a high-pitched whistling sound. Never handle coolant; always call our HVAC technician in Camby, Indiana, instead.

An Electrical Malfunction

In some cases, your air conditioner could be overheating due to an electrical fault. Improper installation and frayed wiring can both cause your system to blow out smoke. If you suspect bad wiring is the culprit behind your smoking air conditioner, shut off the unit and call us right away.

Is your smoke alarm going off, yet you don’t see or smell any smoke coming out of the AC units nearby? In some cases, this can happen due to a power surge in your home. There may not be anything wrong with the air conditioner, but rather a fault in your home’s wiring configuration. 

This isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it’s best to call an electrician.