Nine Weird AC Smells and What They Mean
Air conditioning is an essential part of modern indoor comfort, even more so during steamy summer months. When you turn on your air conditioner, you want nice, cool, refreshing air to enter your home. But sometimes, AC units give off odd or concerning odors that make you wonder if something’s wrong.
A strange smell generating from your AC unit or ductwork might be no big deal — or it could indicate a serious problem necessitating immediate attention. When you have a question, turn off the unit and contact an HVAC technician to check it out. Right now, learn about nine weird AC smells and what they might mean.
1. Rotten Eggs
A rotten egg smell could indicate a gas leak in your HVAC system. Air conditioners don’t function on natural gas, but they use the same blower and ductwork as your furnace, which could be the real reason for this smell. If you notice a rotten egg smell coming from the vents, turn off your air conditioner ASAP, open the windows for fresh air and evacuate the house. Then, call an HVAC contractor at once to inspect for a gas leak and execute the necessary repairs.
2. Musty Odors
A musty smell typically means mold or mildew growing inside the AC unit or ductwork. These microorganisms thrive in damp, dark spaces, making the evaporator coil and air filter well-known places for mold to take hold. To deal with the musty smell and prevent further mold growth, hire a professional to clean your air conditioner, replace the filter and find any other sources of moisture.
3. Cigarette Smoke
If a person in your home smokes, it’s likely that the AC will start smelling like a smokey dive bar before long. The accumulation of nicotine and other chemicals inside the unit, air filter and ductwork circulates into your home every time the air conditioner runs. Change the filter regularly routine maintenance to help prevent this AC odor. Also, it would be smart to not smoke inside the house.
4. Sewage
If you detect a sewage smell from your AC unit, your plumbing or sewer system is likely to be the problem. The smell may be created by methane gas emitting from a busted or plugged sewer pipe or a dry drain trap, which has found its way into the ductwork. Methane is hazardous, so if you smell a sewage-like AC stench, contact a plumber without delay.
5. Stinky Feet
A dirty air conditioner with a buildup of bacteria and fungi can emit a smell that reminds you of sweaty socks. This odor may be especially strong when you switch on the AC for the first time of the season. Regular cleaning and maintenance helps prevent this odor from happening.
6. Skunk Smell
If you smell a skunk-like odor coming from your AC unit, there may be a decayed animal or animal poop inside the ductwork. There is the possibility that a sick or injured bird, rodent or other pest climbed inside an air duct at some stage in 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 emits a burning smell, it’s probably due to an electrical scenario, such as a defective motor, circuit board, compressor or wiring. If any of these parts overheat, they may give off a burnt, gun powder-like smell. To reduce the risk of permanent damage, turn off the AC now and get in touch with an HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
8. Car Exhaust
A smell similar to car exhaust could imply a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the chemical your air conditioner utilizes to pull heat from the indoor air and exhaust it outside. A leak can be a major health and environmental hazard, so power down your air conditioner and call for help.
9. Chemical Fumes
A chemical-like smell emerging from your air vents could be attributed to nearby vehicles, cleaning products, paints, adhesives or other toxins. If your AC blower fan motor is situated in the garage, even your vehicle’s idling exhaust could find its way into the indoor air. These are serious concerns that could warrant sealing the ductwork or even reworking your HVAC system.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair
If you’re concerned about a weird smell arising from your air conditioner, turn to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for the repair you need. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to promptly and accurately determine the problem. Then, we’ll share the most cost-effective repair methods and present strategies to prevent a recurrence. We believe in our quality work so much that we back every repair with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Phone a Service Experts office near you for more information or to request air conditioning repair in the U.S..