The Different Types of Air Conditioner Smells and What They Mean
Noticing a strange or unpleasant odor coming from your air conditioning unit is often a bad sign. While the only way to resolve these bad air conditioner smells and other common HVAC issues is by calling an expert, knowing what certain odors mean can help you act accordingly.
A dusty smell, for example, is nothing to worry about, especially when you use your AC for the first time after a season of lying dormant. It’s typical and expected for dust to accumulate in your system, although this smell should fade after a few days once your unit has burned everything off.
In contrast, more potent or lingering smells can be a real cause for concern. So, what kinds of funny AC odors should you be on the lookout for? Keep reading to find out!
Rotten Eggs
Does my AC smell bad or are there rotten eggs in the pantry? If the eggy smell of sulfur is filling your home whenever the air conditioning is on, you might have a gas leak. And, as you might expect, this isn’t a funny AC odor you should take lightly.
But, rather than calling an HVAC expert, it’s best to shut off your gas, evacuate your home, and call the fire brigade. Low levels of gas exposure are hazardous to your health but continued exposure can cause a loss of consciousness and even death.
Smelly Socks
One of the most unpleasant air conditioner odors has to be the distinctive smell of dirty socks. HVAC professionals even refer to this common AC issue as “dirty sock syndrome”. Although, the smell is often a whole lot more potent than the odors coming from your average laundry basket.
The most likely source of this smell is bacteria growing on your air conditioning unit’s condenser coils. These coils are vital to your air conditioning unit’s functioning, working to absorb heat and make the treated air cool. But once they start to emit the odor of stinky socks, this is a sure sign that they need to be cleaned and sanitized by an HVAC professional.
Burning
The smell of burning is never a good sign, but especially not if it’s coming from your air conditioning unit. As soon as you catch a whiff of burning, turn your HVAC system off, evacuate your home, and call the fire department.
Once you’re back home and in no immediate danger, call an HVAC expert to investigate. Burning is one of the air conditioner odors that can indicate several different problems. But, whether it’s an overheated motor, frayed wiring, or another mechanical issue, none of them are good news.
Gunpowder
Other burning types of smells can have more of a distinctive gunpowder-like aroma. This particular odor often suggests that a fried fan motor or circuit board could be to blame. Since these are both serious issues with the potential to endanger your respiratory system, it’s always a good idea to call out your trusted HVAC technician before running your system again.
Exhaust Fumes
Certain toxic air conditioner smells can smell more like the exhaust fumes from a car. These types of AC smells often mean that you have a fluid leak in your HVAC system. This leaking fluid then drips onto the motor or other heated mechanical part, and then creates the exhaust smell.
These fumes can be dangerous for your health, especially since you’re inhaling them in an enclosed space. If you think you might have a fluid leak in your HVAC unit, call an HVAC professional straight away.
Chemicals
Other very dangerous types of AC smells are those which smell chemical in nature. If your air conditioner smells like formaldehyde, paint thinner, or another chemical, switch it off immediately. These toxic air conditioner odors could be a sign that liquid is leaking inside your system. Not only does this pose a serious threat to your health, but chemical odors also often mean that your HVAC unit is well on the way to a serious malfunction.
Mold and Mildew
Does your air conditioner smell musty or damp? If you notice air conditioner odors like these, mold or mildew may have settled into your AC unit’s interior.
When your AC is running, a lot of condensation builds up. If this moisture doesn’t drain away properly, this can escape into ducts and cause mold to form. While a moldy HVAC system isn’t a serious issue, it can create poor air quality within your home, increasing the risk of respiratory problems. So, although you can continue to use your unit while you’re waiting for your HVAC expert to locate and remove the mold, it’s important to act fast for the sake of your family’s health.
Garbage
It’s common for animals such as mice, rats, and raccoons to seek refuge in HVAC systems during the winter. Unfortunately for these critters, they don’t always make it out to see the spring.
If you turn on the air conditioning and are immediately hit with the strong smell of garbage, this could be a sign that something has died in your HVAC system. In this case, turn off your air conditioning, open the windows to get rid of these foul air conditioner odors, and call either pest control or your HVAC maintenance specialist.
Recognizing Different Air Conditioner Smells
Some of these air conditioning smells indicate that your HVAC system needs a service. Other, more toxic, air conditioner smells indicate that more urgent intervention is necessary.
Either way, regular HVAC inspections can help you catch potential issues before they result in the dangerous internal damage that can cause these funny AC odors.
Are strange air conditioner odors coming from your system? Don’t hesitate to contact us about this or any other HVAC issues today!