Nine Strange AC Odors and What They Mean
Air conditioning is an important part of modern living, especially during the hot summer months. When you use your air conditioner, you expect nice, cool, refreshing air to fill your home. But sometimes, AC units produce unusual or concerning odors that make you wonder if something’s wrong.
A strange smell coming from your AC unit or ductwork might be nothing to worry about — or it could signal a critical problem necessitating urgent attention. When in doubt, switch off the unit and call an HVAC technician to check it out. In the meantime, 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 function on natural gas, but they use the same blower and ductwork as your furnace, which could be the actual culprit for this smell. If you become aware of a rotten egg smell emitting from the vents, turn off your air conditioner immediately, open the windows for fresh air and evacuate the house. Then, call an HVAC contractor at once to check for a gas leak and perform the necessary repairs.
2. Musty Odors
A musty smell normally denotes mold or mildew growing inside the AC unit or ductwork. These microorganisms multiply in damp, dark conditions, making the evaporator coil and air filter well-known places for mold to set in. To deal with the musty smell and stop further mold growth, hire a professional to clean your air conditioner, replace the filter and find any other sources of moisture.
3. Tobacco Smoke
If someone in your home smokes, chances are the AC will begin smelling like stale cigarettes in the near future. The buildup of nicotine and other chemicals inside the unit, air filter and ductwork spreads into your home every time the air conditioner turns on. Change the filter on a regular basis routine maintenance to help prevent this AC odor. Also, it would be wise to not smoke inside the house.
4. Sewage
If you notice a sewage smell from your air conditioner, your plumbing or sewer system may actually be the issue. The smell may be created by methane gas emitting from a damaged or plugged sewer pipe or a dry drain trap, which has made its way into the ductwork. Methane is hazardous, so if you smell a sewage-like AC stench, contact a plumber at once.
5. Stinky Feet
A nasty air conditioner with a buildup of bacteria and fungi can emit a smell similar to that of stinky socks. This odor may be especially strong when you start up the AC for the first time in the spring. Regular cleaning and maintenance assists you 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 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 reach out to an HVAC technician to address the problem.
7. Electrical Burning or Gun Powder
If your AC produces a burning smell, it’s likely due to an electrical scenario, such as a compromised motor, circuit board, compressor or wiring. If any of these components overheat, they may give off a burnt, gun powder-like smell. To reduce the risk of long-term damage, turn off the AC immediately and contact an HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
8. Car Exhaust
A smell identical to car exhaust could indicate a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the chemical your air conditioner uses to extract heat from the indoor air and exhaust it outside. A leak can be a significant health and environmental hazard, so switch off your air conditioner and call for help.
9. Chemical Fumes
A chemical-like smell originating from your air vents could be sourced to close by vehicles, cleaning products, paints, adhesives or other substances. If your AC blower fan motor is located in the garage, even your car or truck’s idling exhaust could mingle with the indoor air. These are grave concerns that could warrant sealing the ductwork or even redesigning 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 for the repair you need. We use superior diagnostic equipment to quickly and accurately identify the problem. Then, we’ll share the most cost-effective repair methods and offer recommendations to prevent a recurrence. We believe in our quality work so much that we warrant 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 Fort Lauderdale.
