Nine Suspicious AC Smells and What They Mean
Air conditioning is an essential part of modern living, even more so during humid summer months. When you run the air conditioner, you anticipate pleasant, cool, refreshing air to fill your home. But once in a while, AC units release weird or concerning odors that make you curious if something’s wrong.
A strange smell generating from your cooling system or ductwork might be no big thing — or it could suggest a critical problem that requires urgent attention. When you have concerns, power down the unit and connect with an HVAC technician to check it out. Meantime, find out about nine weird AC smells and what they might mean.
1. Rotten Eggs
A rotten egg smell could point to a gas leak in your HVAC system. Air conditioners don’t operate on natural gas, but they use the same blower and ductwork as your furnace, which could be the true cause for this smell. If you become aware of a rotten egg smell originating from the vents, turn off your air conditioner immediately, open the windows for fresh air and exit the house. Following that, call an HVAC contractor right away to test for a gas leak and perform the necessary repairs.
2. Musty Odors
A musty smell commonly means mold or mildew developing inside the AC unit or ductwork. These microorganisms flourish in damp, dark conditions, making the evaporator coil and air filter well-known places for mold to develop. To eliminate the musty smell and stop further mold growth, hire a professional to clean your air conditioner, replace the filter and determine any other sources of moisture.
3. Cigarette Smoke
If someone in your home smokes, it’s likely that the AC will begin smelling like a dirty ashtray before long. The compounding of nicotine and other chemicals inside the unit, air filter and ductwork spreads into your home every time the air conditioner runs. Change the filter monthly (if necessary) and {schedule routine maintenance to help counter this AC odor. Also, it would be smart to not smoke inside the house.
4. Sewage
If you notice a sewage smell from your HVAC system, your plumbing or sewer system may actually be the problem. The smell may be generated by methane gas emitting from a broken or plugged sewer pipe or a dry drain trap, which has found its way into the ductwork. Methane is unhealthy, so if you smell a sewage-like AC odor, contact a plumber immediately.
5. Stinky Feet
A dirty air conditioner with a buildup of bacteria and fungi can emit a smell reminiscent of stinky socks. This odor may be notably strong when you start up the AC for the first time of the season. Regular cleaning and maintenance aids to prevent this odor from occurring.
6. Skunk Smell
If you smell a skunk-like odor coming from your AC unit, there may be a decayed animal or animal feces inside the ductwork. It’s not uncommon to find that a sick or injured bird, rodent or other pest climbed inside an air duct over the winter, where it died and began decomposing. This is a health hazard, so contact an HVAC technician to handle the problem.
7. Electrical Burning or Gun Powder
If your AC produces a burning smell, it’s likely due to an electrical concern, such as a defective motor, circuit board, compressor or wiring. If any of these parts overheat, they may produce a burnt, gun powder-like smell. To prevent permanent damage, turn off the AC immediately and call an HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
8. Car Exhaust
A smell comparable to car exhaust could indicate a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the chemical your air conditioner uses to remove heat from the indoor air and exhaust it outside. A leak can be a major health and environmental hazard, so power down your air conditioning and call for help.
9. Chemical Fumes
A chemical-like smell coming from your air vents could be attributed to nearby vehicles, cleaning products, paints, adhesives or other toxins. If your AC blower fan motor is positioned in the garage, even your car or truck’s idling exhaust could mingle with the indoor air. These are serious concerns that could call for sealing the ductwork or even reworking your HVAC system.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair
If you’re thinking about a weird smell originating from your air conditioner, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for the repair you need. We use superior diagnostic equipment to easily and accurately determine the problem. Then, we’ll explain the most cost-effective repair methods and offer guidance to prevent a recurrence. We believe in our excellent work so much that we back every repair with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Speak to a Service Experts office near you for further details or to request air conditioning repair in Fort Lauderdale.
