When you turn on your air conditioner during a hot California day, the last thing you want is for a foul smell to fill your home. On top of making your living space uncomfortable, these odors can indicate underlying issues with your air conditioner that require professional repair. The problem can range from a dirty air filter to a dangerous gas leak, so it’s important not to brush it aside.
Keep reading to discover the potential reasons your AC smells musty, and signs it’s time to call Service Champions to schedule AC service.
The air conditioner drain line is a key component that takes moisture away from your home. When dirt, debris, or other particles enter the line, they can cause a blockage, leading to pooling water and mildew, algae, or mold growth in your air conditioner.
Excess humidity or moisture in the AC can push mold or mildew through the ductwork, spreading a musty smell throughout your home. To help prevent these problems, schedule bi-annual AC inspections, cooling and heating tune-ups, and regularly replace or clean your HVAC filters.
For the best protection, consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier. These devices connect directly to your existing air conditioner or furnace, automatically removing moisture from the air and depositing the condensate outdoors.
While you’d likely suspect a dirty sock smell to come from your laundry pile, it may be coming from your air conditioner. Dirty evaporator coils, clogged condensate drain pans, and stagnant water create the ideal environment for AC mold and bacteria growth, which can cause the smell of dirty socks to fill your home.
Your air conditioner’s air filter also plays an important role in capturing airborne contaminants and bacteria before they enter the clean air circulating through your home. Without proper maintenance, bacteria and microbes can build up, creating unpleasant smells that spread as your AC pushes air through the ductwork.
To prevent the buildup of these contaminants, schedule annual maintenance and replace or clean your air filter every three months. During a professional tune-up, an HVAC tech will clean the evaporator coil, drain pan, and air filter to eliminate odors.
If something smells like it’s burning, your air conditioner could be the source. The smell can come from an overheating motor, a wiring issue, or other serious mechanical problems.
Sometimes, the smell may resemble a combination of sulfur, metal, or gunpowder, indicating a short in the AC’s circuit board or fan motor. Melting plastic components can also produce a burning or chemical-like smell. If you notice any of these odors, turn off the power at the breaker box, evacuate your home, and contact the fire department.
After your home is safe to re-enter, schedule service with an HVAC technician to ensure that your air conditioner does not have electrical or mechanical problems.
Refrigerant is the chemical found inside your air conditioner that removes heat from the air to help cool your home. While it’s safe when trapped inside your air conditioning system, it can harm your health and the environment if it leaks out.
If you notice a sweet, chemical, or chloroform-like smell coming from your AC, turn it off immediately and contact Service Champions. Refrigerant leaks can be toxic and require immediate attention to keep your household safe.
Never ignore the smell of rotten eggs in your home — it could indicate a gas leak. Natural gas is odorless until manufacturers add a chemical called mercaptan to give it a distinctive sulfur-like smell for safety.
If you smell rotten eggs coming through your vents and suspect a gas leak:
Do not operate any electrical devices.
Avoid using matches or lighters.
Put out any open flames, such as candles, immediately.
Open as many doors and windows as you can.
Turn off your gas supply at the meter if it’s safe to do so. If not, the gas company will do it for you.
Evacuate the building.
Contact the gas company and wait for them to confirm it’s safe before turning on the gas and re-entering your home.
Rotten egg or sulfur-like odors may also be the result of a rodent that has entered your ductwork. To remove the odor, contact a Service Champions HVAC technician to locate the issue, remove it, and sanitize your air conditioner.
Air conditioner odors are more than just unpleasant. They can significantly impact your health and home comfort. Thankfully, there are prevention steps you can take, including:
Regularly changing the air filters.
Cleaning the air conditioner with a damp cloth.
Performing routine visual inspections.
Using a purifier to improve indoor air quality.
Checking for leaks or moisture buildup.
For the most effective prevention, schedule a professional air conditioning tune-up at least once a year. During the visit, an HVAC tech will inspect, clean, and test your AC to ensure everything works as it should.
If your AC smells bad, call Service Champions for AC Maintenance. Our HVAC techs are available 7 days a week to take your call.
Backed by years of trusted service, you can rely on our highly trained, highly skilled, and certified technicians to get the job done right.
Learn more about Service Champions, or Contact Us today to schedule service in Northern California! Our team is here for all your home needs, including heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, insulation, and ductwork. Ask about our available AC financing options and MVP⁺ membership.
If your AC unit produces an odor when you first turn it on, this is a sign of a broken part, clog, or leak within the unit. Contact a professional as soon as possible to prevent further damage and a negative impact on your health.
The smell coming from your AC unit will be gone the second the service is complete. During the visit, a technician will assess and fix the issue, cleaning as they go to remove the cause of the smell effectively.
While you may think about turning your HVAC system off before a vacation to save on energy bills, this can actually cause mold, moisture, and dust build-up. It’s best to leave your AC system on and set it to a higher temperature, around 75 to 80 degrees, before leaving your home.