July 18, 2022 | Blog
When your air conditioner is producing bad smells, it can get to the point that you’ll opt for shutting it off and enduring the heat. If your unit smells, you might wonder why and whether it’s concerning. Whether your AC smells musty or like a carcass, you can’t fix it until you know more about it.
As AC odors are a serious problem, your Corpus Christi AC company, Mathews CCAC, has compiled a list of 6 smells you can’t ignore.
Car Exhaust Smell
Refrigerant
Air conditioners don’t run on internal combustion engines, and, therefore, shouldn’t smell like them. They do, however, use fluids that smell like this when heated. Feel like you’re standing behind a car? You might have a refrigerant leak. Used as a cooling agent, refrigerant leaks impact how units perform and release chemicals into the air.
Freon
A chlorofluorocarbon used in AC systems, Freon, absorbs indoor heat and releases it outside. Smelling like chloroform, or sweetish car coolant, Freon, while mostly odorless, is still detectable. Heavier than air, it doesn’t linger for long, quickly dropping down to floor level.
Though it won’t make you instantly pass out, this chloroform-scented leak is still dangerous.
Fix
Chemical-like smells require professional air conditioning maintenance as soon as possible. Before the professionals arrive, keep the smells out and prevent dangerous circ*mstances by cracking open windows and keeping your home ventilated.
Smelling Smoke Or Fire
Air conditioners have multiple electrical components including circuit boards, power wires, fans and compressors. Smelling burning gunpowder or plastic means that one, or multiple, components are, well, burning. Fixing this situation yourself would be extremely dangerous, instead, turn off your AC and consult a professional.
A common, less dangerous reason for smelling something burning is dust settlement in units after long periods of inactivity. The result? The accumulated dust inside your AC burns, producing bad smells when the unit is turned on. This, however, is temporary and not overly concerning.
Fix
If the smell remains or becomes pungent, or the air conditioning unit starts malfunctioning, turn it off and call your local HVAC expert.
Rotten Egg Smell
Air conditioners that smell like rotten eggs are caused by dead animals caught within the unit. Distinct and unmistakable, this odor will be sent throughout your entire home as soon as you turn the unit on.
Additionally, animals could also nest in ductwork, getting trapped and possibly damaging the system. Pest-proof the unit to prevent this and, if an animal’s stuck, remove it yourself or call a technician to do so.
DIY Fix
Locate the duct the smell’s coming from, remove the cover with a screwdriver and extract the animal. Keep a light source nearby in case the culprit isn’t easily visible. Clean and dry the area, have your ductwork checked for damage and seal any entries.
Smelling Gas Or Skunk Spray
The most alarming smell produced within ACs is gas or skunk spray. Though natural gas is odorless, Methyl Mercaptan is added during air conditioner production. When gas is leaking and getting into your ductwork, this added chemical provides a pungent odor and ensures the problem’s detected before damage occurs.
Fix
Like rotten eggs, the smell of blinding skunk spray can’t be mistaken for anything else. At the first signs, turn off your gas supply and contact your utility provider to have them detect and repair the problem.
Moldy, Dusty ACs
When an AC smells musty, it’s often because of dirty filters, dust in ducted systems or water accumulation in drain pans or drip lines. Water causes fungus and mildew development, resulting in a foul smell. Turning on your AC after a long period while living in a hot, humid climate allows moisture accumulation within your filters.
Fix
Indoor ductless units give visible signs such as water dripping down walls when there’s a leak. Contact a professional and get your lines and ducts thoroughly cleaned and leaks fixed.
Cigarette Smells
If you, or anyone in your household, smokes at home your unit could eventually smell like stale cigarette smoke. This is unpleasant and can cause allergic reactions and headaches.
How does this happen though? Well, evaporator coils and filters absorb the odor of cigarettes, knocking loose embedded tobacco particles and sending them back into the home through the vents.
Fix
Thankfully, the solution to this is very simple: regularly clean your AC and change your air filter every 30-60 days. Additionally, smoking outdoors prevents the unit from absorbing more tobacco.
Getting Rid Of Pungent AC Odors
Even when you have found what is causing your AC odors, it’s not recommended to do AC repairs by yourself. If you feel confident attempting a DIY, go through maintenance and operating manuals and collect the tools you’ll need.
If you need professional AC maintenance, contact the professionals at Mathews CCAC today and finally breathe cool, odorless air again.
As an expert and enthusiast, I can provide information on various topics, including air conditioner odors. I have access to a wide range of knowledge and can provide insights based on that information. However, it's important to note that my responses are generated based on patterns and information available in my training data. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's always a good idea to consult professionals or trusted sources for specific issues or concerns.
Now, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in the article you provided:
Air Conditioner Odors
When your air conditioner produces bad smells, it can be concerning and unpleasant. Understanding the cause of these odors is important for addressing the issue. Here are some common smells associated with air conditioners and their potential causes:
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Car Exhaust Smell: If your air conditioner smells like car exhaust, it could indicate a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is used as a cooling agent in AC systems, and when it leaks, it can impact the unit's performance and release chemicals into the air.
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Freon Smell: Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon used in AC systems to absorb indoor heat and release it outside. While mostly odorless, it can sometimes have a sweetish car coolant or chloroform-like smell. If you detect this smell, it could indicate a refrigerant leak.
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Smoke or Fire Smell: If you smell burning gunpowder or plastic, it could indicate that electrical components in your air conditioner, such as circuit boards, power wires, fans, or compressors, are burning. In such cases, it's important to turn off your AC and consult a professional for repair.
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Rotten Egg Smell: A smell resembling rotten eggs could indicate the presence of dead animals trapped within the unit or ductwork. It's important to remove the animal or call a technician to do so. Additionally, animals can also nest in the ductwork, causing damage to the system. Pest-proofing the unit can help prevent this issue.
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Gas or Skunk Spray Smell: If you detect a pungent smell resembling gas or skunk spray, it could indicate a gas leak. Methyl Mercaptan, an added chemical, provides the odor to detect gas leaks. In such cases, it's important to turn off the gas supply and contact your utility provider for detection and repair.
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Moldy or Musty Smell: A musty smell in your air conditioner could be due to dirty filters, dust in ducted systems, or water accumulation in drain pans or drip lines. Moisture accumulation in filters, especially after long periods of inactivity in hot and humid climates, can lead to fungus and mildew development. Thoroughly cleaning the lines, ducts, and fixing any leaks can help address this issue.
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Cigarette Smell: If someone in your household smokes indoors, the AC unit can absorb the odor of cigarettes, causing stale cigarette smoke smells. Regularly cleaning the AC and changing the air filter every 30-60 days can help prevent this issue. Smoking outdoors can also help prevent the unit from absorbing tobacco odor.
It's important to note that while some issues can be addressed with simple DIY fixes, others may require professional air conditioning maintenance or repair. If you encounter persistent or concerning odors from your air conditioner, it's recommended to contact a local HVAC expert for assistance.
I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
