When the summer heat hits, you rely on your air conditioner to provide relief from oppressive warmth and sticky humidity. However, it can be hard to appreciate the comfort your AC provides when it gives off an unpleasant odor. These bad smells are more than just undesirable for your nose. In some cases, they can point toward a mechanical issue. Cooper Mechanical offers AC services to homeowners in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas. Here, we explain the different AC smells and what you should do about them.
Why Does My AC Smell Like…?
At the beginning of the summer, you might notice your AC unit smells musty. Although not a lovely scent, a musty smell is normal for the first few uses. It’s when odd smells linger that you might have a mechanical problem. Not all bad smells coming from your AC are the same. Different odors might indicate issues with different AC components. Common types of unpleasant AC smells include:
Dirty Socks
Dirty socks conjure up such a specific stench, and it’s part of why this bad smell is one of the most distinct to homeowners. You might also say your AC smells like vinegar or smelly feet.
Despite being pungent, this musty smell from your AC unit is usually more harmless than other bad odors. It happens because moisture, mold, and mildew build-up on evaporator coils, the component with a refrigerant that removes heat from the air and circulates cool air into the home. These elements might also accumulate on other parts of the AC.
When you notice the dirty sock smell, the first step is to check your filter to determine if replacement is necessary. If this doesn’t solve the problem, contact an HVAC technician. They might need to inspect the ductwork to identify the cause. It helps to schedule yearly maintenance at the start of the season to tackle a musty smell right away.
Trash
If you thought dirty socks were bad, some people notice their AC smells like garbage. This stench is also reminiscent of skunk spray or rotten eggs.
Trash smell has two main culprits. First, it could be the carcass of a critter like a rodent or small reptile. During the colder months, these animals seek warmth and shelter and often find it in HVAC ductwork. They might stumble upon an electrical component and get electrocuted or die while inside the system. If you suspect this might be the issue, turn the AC off and call an HVAC technician.
Second, the problem could be a gas leak. Natural gas and propane-powered systems often use a colorless, flammable gas that smells like rotten eggs and cabbage. In case this is the cause, you should turn off the AC and shut the gas off immediately, including your gas meter and all gas-powered equipment, before contacting an HVAC technician.
Exhaust
The bad odor from your AC unit might resemble exhaust from a car. This smell often suggests a fluid leak on the motor or other warm components. A similar smell is the sweet, chemical scent of refrigerant. This smell indicates the AC system is losing its refrigerant charge because of a large leak.
Exhaust smells like these are rare, but if detected, turn the unit off and contact an HVAC technician as soon as possible. You also want to exit the home until the issue can be addressed. Breathing in high concentrations of by-product gases like these can be hazardous.
Burning
The severity of a burning smell ranges depending on what smells like it’s burning. If it smells like burning dust, it’s usually because you haven’t used the unit in a while. This scent typically goes away quickly. If it smells like burning rubber, it’s likely a broken fan belt, common with older units. This problem causes AC units to malfunction or shut down.
However, if the smell is like burning plastic, it could be that an electrical component with a plastic covering is burning. In this situation, turn off the system and contact an HVAC technician immediately. Leaving your AC running with this burning smell can increase the risk of an electrical fire.
Seek AC Service to Eliminate Bad Smells
When you notice bad smells while your AC is running, you want prompt service to get back to maximum comfort. At Cooper Mechanical, homeowners in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas rely on our AC repair services to keep their units running smoothly and odor-free. Contact us today to learn more about our cooling services and check out reviews from homeowners who put their trust in Cooper Mechanical.
