Nine Weird AC Smells and What They Mean
Air conditioning is an essential part of modern life, even more so during humid summer months. When you run the air conditioner, you want pleasant, cool, refreshing air to enter your home. But from time to time, AC units release weird or concerning odors that make you wonder if something’s wrong.
A strange smell generating from your air conditioner or ductwork might be no big thing — or it could signal a severe problem that requires immediate attention. When you have a question, turn off the unit and connect with an HVAC technician to check it out. Right now, read about nine weird AC smells and what they might mean.
1. Rotten Eggs
A rotten egg smell could suggest a gas leak in your HVAC system. Air conditioners don’t run 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 detect a rotten egg smell originating from the vents, turn off your air conditioner ASAP, open the windows for venting and leave the house. After that, call an HVAC contractor right away to test for a gas leak and execute the necessary repairs.
2. Musty Odors
A musty smell usually suggests mold or mildew growing inside the AC unit or ductwork. These microorganisms thrive in damp, dark spaces, making the evaporator coil and air filter common places for mold to set in. To eliminate the musty smell and stop further mold growth, hire an expert to clean your air conditioner, replace the filter and determine any other sources of moisture.
3. Tobacco Smoke
If someone in your home smokes, it’s likely that the AC will begin smelling like a smokey dive bar before long. The buildup 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 arrange for routine maintenance to help minimize this AC odor. Also, it would be wise 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 issue. The smell may be generated by methane gas emitting from a busted or plugged sewer pipe or a dry drain trap, which has made its way into the ductwork. Methane is unhealthy, so if you smell a sewage-like AC stench, contact a plumber at once.
5. Stinky Feet
A dirty air conditioner with a buildup of bacteria and fungi can emit a smell reminiscent of sweaty socks. This odor may be especially strong when you turn on the AC for the first time of the season. Regular cleaning and maintenance aids to prevent this odor from happening.
6. Skunk Smell
If you smell a skunk-like odor coming from your AC unit, there may be a dead animal or animal poop inside the ductwork. It’s not uncommon to find that a sick or injured bird, rodent or other pest climbed inside an air duct during the winter, where it died and began decaying. This is a health hazard, so get in touch with an HVAC technician to tackle the problem.
7. Electrical Burning or Gun Powder
If your AC releases a burning smell, it’s probably due to an electrical scenario, such as a compromised motor, circuit board, compressor or wiring. If any of these parts overheat, they may emit a burnt, gun powder-like smell. To protect against permanent damage, turn off the AC right away and call an HVAC technician to diagnose and remedy the issue.
8. Car Exhaust
A smell identical to car exhaust could signify 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 serious health and environmental hazard, so turn off your cooling system and call for help.
9. Chemical Fumes
A chemical-like smell originating from your air vents could be sourced to nearby vehicles, cleaning products, paints, adhesives or other substances. 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 dangerous 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 coming from your air conditioner, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for the repair you need. We use superior diagnostic equipment to promptly and accurately define the problem. Then, we’ll share the most cost-effective repair methods and present recommendations to prevent a recurrence. We believe in our excellent work so much that we back every repair with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Phone a Service Experts office near you for additional details or to request air conditioning repair in Fort Lauderdale.
