Your home’s air conditioner should deliver cool, refreshing air throughout your space – not a questionable smell. A strong, stinky odor coming from your cooling system indicates that something’s wrong with your unit. Contact the professionals at HVAC Precision Experts for thorough air conditioner maintenance and repair.
Stay comfortable in your Culpeper home and confident that your heating and cooling system is running as it should with help from our team. Understand the signs to look out for when it comes to your home’s climate control and reach out to our team for dependable services. Read on to learn more about five AC smells you should never ignore.
1. My AC Smells Like Dirty Socks
Unfortunately, many homeowners have turned on their air conditioners and smelled something stinky. Commonly referred to as “dirty sock syndrome,” this odor happens when mold or bacteria begin to grow in your AC unit or system of ductwork.
In homes with high humidity, mold and mildew can collect and grow on your unit’s evaporator coils, releasing a strong odor when the unit is turned on. In addition, a blocked condensate line or clogged drain pan can also be the culprit of the unpleasant smell.
2. My Air Conditioner Smells Like It’s Burning
Sometimes, an overheating motor or loose wiring inside your AC unit can make your air conditioner smell like burned plastic. In this case, it’s vital for the safety of your household and longevity of your AC to turn it off and schedule a repair or replacement.
A different type of burning smell can make your air conditioner smell like car exhaust. An exhaust smell could be a sign of a refrigerant leak. This is a serious concern, as coolant leaks pose a serious health hazard and should only be dealt with by AC professionals.
3. Gas Odor Coming From Air Conditioner
If your home has a central AC system powered by gas, your air conditioner doesn’t utilize gas during the summertime. However, your furnace requires gas to function and both your heater and AC use the same ductwork to deliver air year-round.
If you smell gas coming from your vents when the AC is on, gas from your furnace could be leaking into your home. This is a very dangerous situation – evacuate your home immediately and contact your gas company.
4. My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
Another unfortunate reality of homeownership is the presence of unwelcome visitors to your space. If your air conditioner suddenly smells foul, similar to a rotten egg, you may be dealing with a dead animal in your ductwork. It is possible to remove these critters on your own, or you may opt for professional help.
Once the culprit is removed from your ducts, reach out to our team for duct cleaning and air duct services. We can bring your ducts back into like-new condition, repair air duct damage or replace outdated ductwork.
5. My AC Smells Like Cigarette Smoke
Frequently smoking cigarettes can cause your condenser coil and air filter to collect old cigarette smoke. This can result in your AC giving off a stale, smoky smell.
Not only that, but particulates from smoking can recirculate through your space, resulting in poor indoor air quality. To restore clean air in your space, our team offers IAQ testing and ductwork cleaning. Reach out to us for more information or to schedule your service.
Your Top-Quality Local AC Experts
Stinky smells from your air conditioner can come from different sources. With so many possibilities, it’s best to hire a professional team to pinpoint the issue. So the next time you’re wondering, why does my AC smell bad, turn to the team more Northern Virginia residents rely on for their home services. Turn to HVAC Precision Experts. Reach out to us today!
