Understanding Air Conditioner Smells: What Do They Mean?

Is there an unpleasant smell from the AC in your house? Air conditioner smells aren’t an unusual experience, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is something to worry about, but it could be a cause for concern. It depends on a number of things, such as what type of smell you are experiencing.

If your air conditioning unit hasn’t been used for a while, there’s every chance that it will smell when you turn it back on, but smells can be caused by a variety of other culprits, and it can even be a sign of a hazard, so it is good to know what is going on inside your AC unit.

What Are The Causes of AC Smell?

There isn’t always one specific type of air conditioner smells, and it can be caused by different things. Some different examples of burning smells from AC units and chemical smells from AC units are signs of specific issues.

What Are Some Common Types of AC Odors?

There are so many different types of air conditioners, and they can all develop different faults over the years. They may also just develop a smell from the AC unit over time.

Some people have reported generic musty smells; others report burning smells; others report that it seems like something is stuck or even decomposing in the AC unit.

It’s important to remember that the air conditioner could just be circulating smells that are already in your home. It’s vital that you check not only the air conditioner itself but anywhere in the home or within the ducting and other systems that could be emitting a smell. It’s easy to assume a smell is coming from an AC unit, and it is often the culprit, but it isn’t the only possible culprit.

Does Your Air Conditioner Smell Like Exhaust Pipe?

Though the air conditioner definitely doesn’t work in the same way as a car’s engine, it is possible that the fluids inside can smell like fumes coming from an exhaust pipe.

If you experience this smell, it is likely that one of the cooling agents in the refrigerant line of your AC has leaked, and the smell is coming from this. This is definitely something to consider.

A leak can make your AC unit work less effectively, and on top of a chemical smell from AC units, it is also possible that the exhaust smell might show that AC Freon is leaking. Not a lot of the modern air conditioners use Freon, but if you do experience a smell that is slightly sweet, then you might be experiencing a leak, and you definitely need to get it seen too.

Do You Smell Burning From Your AC?

A burning smell from C units is definitely caused for concern. In fact, any sort of burning smell in your home is something that you should get seen as soon as possible to ensure you aren’t taking any risks. 

What is the cause of a burning air conditioner smell? Well, it could be one of a number of things. There are many different components in the AC unit, including wires, compressors, and complex circuitry. If you experience the smell of burning, especially the air conditioner smells like burning gunpowder or even plastic, it probably means something has been fried within. 

Make sure you get this seen by a professional and don’t take any risks.

It is also possible that an AC smell can just come from dust that has settled within. If you haven’t used the air conditioner for a long time, the dust that is on it or inside can burn. This isn’t a huge worry, but if there is a heavy smell of burning, there is no way you should be taking any risks.

Is there a Rotten Smell from Your Air Conditioner?

The smell of rotting from your AC is not necessarily something that stems from a mechanical issue. 

Usually, a rotting smell comes from something having died inside the air conditioning unit. It can be due to a mouse or rat, or even a bird or insect using your ductwork to make their nest. If they die in there, the smell will eventually start to leak out into the rest of your home. It’s also possible that having animals or critters in your air conditioning can also be a hazard to the ac itself and cause it to break.

The first thing to do is to find the culprit, which can be a difficult task, especially if you have a lot of ducting. You can contact an air conditioning technician to get rid of the dead animal.

Do You Feel a Musty Smell From the AC?

A musty smell from AC units can come from a variety of different things. Leaking water in AC units can encourage the sort of causes that are usually to blame, which can be mold or rust.

A leak of water can cause fungus and mildew to grow. Even if you have a ductless unit, it is possible that you can get water building up around the unit.

Another reason besides mildew or mold can be if you have a dirty filter within your air conditioning unit. There’s a reason why your ducting and lines need to be regularly cleaned. Maintenance is essential to prevent the musty smell from AC units building up over time. 

This is not usually the sign of a hazard as such, but it is still important that you consider maintenance if your AC unit has not been cared for recently.

What Can You Do To Stop Odor from Your AC?

There are a few things that you can do to ensure that the odor from your AC doesn’t get too bad. Smells from your air conditioning unit can be a big sign that something is wrong, so if there is a strong smell, make sure you get it seen to and call the professionals as soon as possible.

Maintenance is a good way to make sure that some of the culprits are spotted early and don’t end up causing you huge problems in the future. This sort of servicing and maintenance is also a method to keep your air conditioning functioning well and avoid those kinds of musty smells that can lead you to worry about the unit. 

Of course, if there are odors, you can use air fresheners around the home, but this doesn’t deal with the root cause of the problem.

What Can Elite Do For Your AC?

Elite air conditioning can help you to keep your AC unit functioning to the best of its abilities. As well as helping you with any repair needs you may have, we’re also happy to perform routine maintenance or service so that you can spot any problems before they become too troublesome. If you have any emergencies, we are available 24/7 to help.

We’ve seen all of the issues that air conditioners can develop over time, and there are so many different things that can cause smells. Fortunately, it is usually something that is relatively simple to fix. However, if you are in any doubt at all, then you should not approach this yourself. Taking the DIY approach can be hazardous if you don’t know what you are doing.

If you are experiencing any sort of worrying smell from AC units, then it is worth calling for help, even if just for the peace of mind of knowing that your unit is in good working condition or getting the yearly service to help your unit perform and stay free of musty aromas.

Business Name – Elite Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Address:  3085 E Post Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89120, United States

Phone Number: 702-263-2665