Why is the smell coming from my air conditioner so bad? What should I do if my central air conditioner is blowing out a chemical-smelling odor? What scent does freon have?
These are the typical questions that corporate and residential clients of our HVAC company ask.
Usually, there isn’t a valid reason for your air conditioner to start smelling bad. Your health will surely suffer as a result.
Even worse, certain scents are dangerous and necessitate quick attention. The top six are listed below, along with answers.
Your air conditioner is one of the home items that is used the most frequently. As a result, when it breaks down, it hurts and is very uncomfortable.
For our benefit, it does a great job of warning us when maintenance is required.
One of the most important things that many owners of homes and businesses notice are bad aromas emanating from the air conditioner.
However, an odor problem does call for an inspection and does not always mean that a fix will be expensive.
The HVAC system’s dirty air filter or mold development brought on by excessive dampness is worse than a freon leak, a burst sewage vent pipe, or a backed-up sewer line next to some ducting.
The following are the six most prominent and potentially dangerous odors that an air conditioner may emit:
- Electrical or burning scents
Electrical scents are a common aroma connected to air conditioning and may be a sign of a mechanical issue with your air conditioner’s compressor or fan, a failure of an electrical component, or a wiring issue.
Because these components are formed of various chemicals and metals, prolonged exposure to their odors is not recommended.
The first few times an air conditioner is turned on, it may emit a burning smell that could smell electrical or dusty.
Usually, the smell disappears after 20 to 30 minutes. If so, it was likely clearing the appliance’s interior of dust.
This is usually when the gadget has been dormant for some time.
You should consult with a licensed HVAC contractor to investigate the problem and repair the unit if necessary.
If you want to do things yourself, this article about DIY AC repair may interest you.
For electrical smells, the compressor, fan motors, or wiring are usually to fault.
If you attempt to fix these on your own, serious injury could result. Ask a nearby air conditioning specialist to have a look at it if you don’t feel secure handling repairs on your own.
- the odor of powder
Gunpowder smell and electrical smell are connected.
Unmistakable odors resembling gunpowder may be produced by a fried fan motor or circuit board.
These could also be harmful to your respiratory system because they are constructed of different metals and substances.
Before being resumed after an extended period of sleep, a system should be examined by a professional.
- A rotten egg odor
It’s most likely a natural gas leak that has entered your ventilation system if you smell sulfur or rotten eggs coming from your air conditioner and you haven’t stored any rotten eggs anywhere else in your home.
Despite the fact that gas has no odor, utility providers add the aroma to alert customers to a significant leak. So if you smell gas, there is a problem.
These types of AC odors can also be caused by a dead animal in your attic or ducts or by an insect infestation.
Therefore, it would be best to get that investigated. In order to get a dead animal removed, call pest control.
Low exposure levels are unhealthy in and of themselves, but excessive exposure levels can deplete the oxygen in your blood, render you unconscious, and even result in death.
Gas is incredibly explosive and combustible, which results in dozens of death each year.
If you notice this kind of odor, open every window in your house or place of business and leave the building immediately.
Contact your neighborhood’s natural gas supplier as well.
- vehicle exhaust
Even if your heating and air conditioning systems are not powered by gas, exhaust gases may still be present even though fluids leak from certain AC or heating system components.
To avoid such dangerous situations, call your local HVAC expert if you detect exhaust-like scents and ask them to carefully analyze the problem.
Burning oil and other liquids can result in significant environmental releases of harmful gases. It’s possible that this gas’ chemical makeup has changed from when it was a liquid.
When ingested, these airborne particles can be quite hazardous to your health, decreasing the amount of oxygen in your blood and causing a number of serious health issues.
- Synthetic Aromas Chemical smells are present in many environments.
By using the facts below, you might be able to decide which person is the most likely culprit.
Open Containers with Chemicals
It’s likely that the smell is not at all related to your air conditioner. Open chemical storage containers kept close to an air conditioning intake or ducting may be the source.
Once these smells are taken up by the airflow, they will obtrusively spread throughout the rest of the house.
Homeowners and business owners routinely store chemicals in garages and attics to keep them safe.
These, on the other hand, may eventually leak if they are improperly sealed and get into the airflow.
For safety’s sake, please identify any chemical storage container at your home or place of work and keep it safely out of the way of your air conditioning unit.
The air conditioner itself
Your air conditioner should be tested to see if it smells like paint thinner, formaldehyde, or any other chemical before being used.
There are many fluids used by your air conditioning system. They may be to fault for a range of chemical-like scents that occur when the device malfunctions. Speak with a local HVAC contractor to receive an accurate diagnosis.
smells of glue
If any ducting was recently installed in your home, the chemical odors there may have a recent explanation.
The duct installation glue may release a pungent chemical odor when it dries. In this case, you will need to wait for the scent to go because it won’t.
Turn on the AC fan and open the windows in your home or place of business as you wait for it to pass. If the problem persists, go to an HVAC contractor in your area.
Freon leaks
Freon is one of the chlorofluorocarbons, also called CFCs or refrigerants. Heat is removed from the atmosphere and transferred to a different site, usually outside your home or place of work, using freon.
Because of this, you maintain your internal coolness. Unfortunately, it can also be hazardous if improper measures are not taken to contain it.
Freon is transported across a closed system by coils and lines in the condenser and evaporator. Occasionally, the copper that makes up these coils and lines develops flaws that allow refrigerant leak.
Leaks of freon may be dangerous. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, talk to a local HVAC contractor; they may use a freon leak detector to locate the issue and fix it.
- Musty or mildewed smells
Is there a smell of dirty socks coming from the air conditioner?
A mold and mildew-like air conditioning system smell is one of the most common HVAC system odors.
The AC unit produces a lot of condensation while it is in use.
If it is not properly drained, this moisture could seep into the airflow, land in the air ducts, and lead to the growth of mold in your ductwork.
A condensate drain line that is plugged may be to blame for this. It therefore merits research.
Contact a local HVAC contractor to have your HVAC system and air ducts checked for mold and mildew.
They will also check your condensate line for obstacles if you don’t know where to look.
By just cleaning your ducts, you can improve the quality of the air within your home.
There isn’t a serious mold problem with the air conditioner itself.
The poor indoor air quality that mold causes in your system put the health of your family in danger.
Mold increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in both adults and children.
It is recommended that you turn off your air conditioner until this problem is resolved.
Having a professional inspect your AC is the best line of action if it smells mold.
How an air conditioner should smell
Now that you are completely knowledgeable on the many kinds of AC odors, you can better negotiate a remedy with your neighborhood HVAC contractor.
When figuring out a problem, use all of your senses. Keep an eye out for abnormal sounds, such as knocking, when the HVAC system is operating.
For excess liquids or liquids that don’t belong there, look around the appliance.
The scents indicate that the machine frequently only needs a service. However, more worrisome odors, like sulfur or gas, indicate a more serious problem.
If you notice an electrical or burning stench, immediately turn off the unit and dial your local HVAC professional.
Your local HVAC professional can immediately identify any issue you may be experiencing and can offer several suggestions for safe AC operation.
Employ an HVAC contractor right now!
We can thus assist if your HVAC system needs emergency repair and you’re looking for a furnace repair or air conditioning repair professional.
Make a call to BJC Plumbers Jersey City to stop air conditioner scents from ruining your day.
The best local, independent home service companies that are knowledgeable about all types of HVAC systems are available to us.
In addition, if you require a replacement filter, we can help.