5 AC Smells You Shouldn't Ignore

As a homeowner, strange smells circulate through your house every now and then. Maybe you burnt a piece of toast or forgot to take out the trash. There’s almost always a logical explanation. However, if the odd scent doesn’t go away, there’s a good chance that your air conditioner is the culprit.

Air Tech of Pasadena doesn’t want your home to just feel fresh- we want it to smell fresh too! Your air conditioner can emit certain odors; each might relate to a different issue. Our team has compiled a list of AC odors to watch out for.

Your AC Smells Musty

Your air conditioner should circulate fresh air throughout your home. However, if you smell a wet mildew-like scent, your unit may have some kind of leak. Water can stimulate indoor mold growth. Mold and fungus can cause numerous health issues such as:

• Coughing
• Postnasal drip
• Respiratory issues
• Chest pains
• Chronic illness
• Asthma Attacks

Air conditioning units are designed to remove moisture from your household. If the system cannot drain properly, it can cause bacteria to form and recirculate through the air. Your home’s indoor air quality can worsen, making your family members sick.

It Smells Like Your Air Conditioner is Burning

Smells relating to smoke or fire are never a good sign. Your AC unit has many electrical components, which can malfunction and create a fire hazard if ignored. Other issues can cause a smokey odor, but it’s best to have a licensed technician inspect the system to determine a cause.

Dirty air filters can prevent your AC from circulating air. When airflow is inadequate, it prevents parts of your unit from working correctly. These parts can overwork themselves and overheat, leading to a fire-like scent. Nevertheless, if you smell something burning, turn your AC off before checking it out.

Your Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If you smell a gaseous scent, turn off your gas supply immediately. Gas can occasionally smell like rotting eggs or skunk spray. If the scent is prominent in your home, it’s possible you may have gas leaking into your ductwork.

Most gasses are odorless, but natural gas detectors can alert you if you have a leak. If you suspect gas is in your home, leave the area immediately and call local law enforcement.

Your AC Smells Like Something is Decomposing

A garbage-like decomposing scent can be very literal when it comes to your air conditioner. Rodents and birds can occasionally sneak into your ductwork and get stuck. When these animals die, they begin to decompose and emit a pungent odor.

You can have your ductwork inspected to try and locate dead animals. Professional AC maintenance can help locate the crevices animals get through. Pest-proofing your HVAC system helps prevent animals from entering it in the future.

Your Unit Smells Like Chemicals

Sweet chemical scents are often a sign of a refrigerant leak. Unfortunately, these leaks are dangerous and can lead to life-threatening issues if ignored. You should contact a professional technician to inspect your unit if you smell chemicals from your AC unit.

Contact Us For Reliable Pasadena AC Repair

Your sense of smell is crucial, especially when detecting abnormal AC-related odors. At Air Tech of Pasadena, our technicians are here to help repair the source of any odd scents! Contact us today to schedule an inspection!