As warmer weather rolls into town, you may find yourself turning to your air conditioner for some reprieve. With this system, you can keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the hottest days of the year. However, after months of inactivity, you may find that your air conditioner is producing a strange smell that is difficult to identify.
If this strange smell doesn’t begin to dissipate, it may lead to a lingering odor in your home, which is difficult to deal with. However, determining the cause of this odor can be even more difficult than you anticipate. If you’re noticing a lingering odor coming from your air conditioner, keep reading to learn what may be causing it and how to address it.
The Most Common Strange Smells from AC Units
It isn’t uncommon to experience some strange smells coming from your AC when you use it again at the start of spring or summer. However, if this smell doesn’t begin to dissipate after the first few uses, this may be an indication that there is something wrong with the system. Some of the most common strange smells you may encounter include:
- Smelly Socks: If you notice strange smells reminiscent of stinky socks, this may indicate a problem with your condenser. This may include bacteria growth within your system, which requires immediate attention to be appropriately remedied.
- Burning: While some smells can be ignored until your HVAC team arrives, it is essential that you take immediate action if you smell burning. This may be the result of a fire in the system from frayed wires, overheating, and mechanical issues. If you smell burning, you should turn off the system immediately to keep your home safe.
- Mold or Mildew: When you smell something incredibly earthy, this may be an indication of mold or mildew growth within your AC. This growth can lead to respiratory health problems, making it essential that you address it as soon as possible.
- Exhaust: If fluid is moving through your AC, this could lead to an exhaust smell coming from the system. This could be due to a leak within the system, and requires an inspection to ensure this is the cause.
- Trash: During the winter, it isn’t uncommon for animals to make themselves at home in your AC. In some cases, they may get stuck and won’t make it out by spring, leading to a trash smell coming from your AC unit.
No matter what strange smells are coming from your AC, it is essential that you reach out to your trusted HVAC technician for support. With their expertise, they can determine the exact cause of the smells within the system and make any essential repairs.
How You Can Address Strange Smells
While you’re waiting for your HVAC team to arrive to address the lingering strange smells, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the smell. The easiest things you can do to attempt to address the smells include:
Clean Your Drain Pain
As moisture builds up within your AC unit, this may result in an excessive overflow in the drain pan. Over time, it is essential that you address this moisture. If left untreated, you create the perfect environment for mold growth. This growth may move into your AC unit, putting you and your loved ones at risk. If you’re experiencing moisture problems in your system, it is essential that you clean or replace your drain pan to avoid respiratory irritation.
Check for Frozen Coils
Another step you can take to address strange smells coming from your AC is to turn off your system and check inside to determine whether there are any frozen coils. Often, dirty air filters are the cause of frozen coils, as they prevent air from entering your system and lead to an increase in moisture. If the coils are frozen, try changing your filter. This should allow proper airflow to return to the system, thawing the coils and restoring system function.
Look for Blockages
When there are blockages within your AC unit, it makes it difficult, if not impossible, for moisture to move out of the system. As mentioned above, even the most minor moisture build-up in your AC unit can lead to strange smells brewing within the system. Double-check the lines in your AC unit to determine whether something is blocking it from adequately draining, and make necessary repairs before your HVAC professional arrives to address the problem.
Identify Duct Moisture
As moisture builds up in your AC unit, it may inevitably find its way into your air ducts as well. While you wait for a trusted HVAC professional to arrive, it is best that you double-check for signs of moisture in your air ducts. If you notice signs of moisture build-up in your ducts, you can talk to your HVAC technician about scheduling duct cleaning to improve the air quality in your home and eliminate lingering odors.
Address Lingering Odors with R&D Heating & Air
If you’re tired of dealing with lingering odors coming from your AC unit, turn to our team at R&D Heating & Air for support. They can determine the cause and quickly remedy the problem, allowing you to remain comfortable through the warmest days of the year. In addition to making essential repairs, our team can also help you establish a maintenance schedule.
With essential AC unit maintenance, you can ensure your system is operating properly before the warmer weather rolls into town. Your HVAC team can also catch minor problems before they lead to even more costly and detrimental system damage. No matter how large or small, we can address any system damage in no time.
If you need help addressing strange smells in your AC unit, don’t hesitate to contact our team today for support.
