The 6 Common Air Conditioning Smells and What They Mean
Why does my air conditioning smell bad? Why does my AC smell like chemicals, and what does Freon smell like? As an HVAC Contractor, these are the questions we hear all the time from homeowners and business owners alike.
When your Air Conditioning is starting to put out terrible odors, it’s never a good sign. It’s definitely not good for your health. Even worse than that, some smells are toxic and require urgent attention.
Your Air conditioning system is one of the most used appliances in your home. So it’s uncomfortable and super inconvenient when it isn’t working correctly. Fortunately for all of us, it’s pretty good at giving us signs when it needs a service.
One of the critical things that many home and business owners notice is bad aromas emanating from the AC unit. An odor problem doesn’t necessarily mean that a repair will be expensive but definitely needs to be checked. It could be as simple as a dirty air filter or mold caused by excessive condensation in the unit or as bad as a freon leak.
Here are the 6 most significant potentially toxic smells that may be coming from your air conditioning unit:
1. Burning or Electrical Odors
Electrical smells are a common air conditioning smell and could indicate a mechanical problem with your AC compressor or fan, electrical component failure, or a wiring issue. These components are made from various chemicals and metals, and prolonged exposure to odors from these are not healthy. The first few times an AC unit kicks on, it may emit a burning odor that can smell electrical or dusty.
Usually, after 20 to 30 minutes, the smell can dissipate. If it does, then it was probably burning off the dust in the unit. This is common after the unit has not been in use for a while. However, if it continues, you should contact a professional HVAC contractor to check out the problem and repair the unit.
Electrical odors are typically a problem with the compressor or fan motors or the wiring. Attempting to fix these yourself can result in severe injuries. If you are not comfortable with trying repairs by yourself, then contact your local HVAC contractor to look at it.
2. Gunpowder Smell
The gunpowder smell is the cousin of electrical odors. Distinctive gunpowder-like odors can be due to a fried fan motor or circuit board. Again with these made from various metals and chemicals, they can pose potential dangers to your respiratory system.
Before starting up a system again after a prolonged dormant period, it should be inspected by a professional.
3. Rotten Eggs
Provided you didn’t leave any rotten eggs hiding anywhere in your home; if you smell sulfur or a rotten egg smell emanating from your air conditioning unit, it’s most likely a natural gas leak. Although natural gas is odorless, utility providers add the aroma to alert people of a dangerous leak.
DO NOT take this lightly. If you smell sulfur in your home, then natural gas is most likely the culprit, and immediate inspection of its source is required. While low-level exposure in itself is hazardous to your health, high levels can reduce oxygen in your blood and lead to a loss of consciousness and even death.
As we all know, gas is highly flammable and explosive and results in dozens of deaths each year. So if you notice this type of odor, open all of the windows in your home or business and get out of the building immediately. You should also contact your local natural gas provider.
4. Exhaust Fumes
Even if your systems are not powered by natural gas, exhaust fumes can be present if fluids leak from specific components in your AC or heating systems. To avoid such dangerous situations, If you smell exhaust-type fumes, you should contact your local HVAC contractor to assess your problem professionally.
Burning oil and other fluids can release large amounts of toxic gas into the environment. This gas can be different in its chemical makeup as it is in its original liquid form. These particulates can be very hazardous to your health when inhaled, depleting oxygen in your bloodstream, resulting in many serious health issues.
5. Chemical Aromas
Chemical smells can come from many different sources. The following may help you decipher which one is the most likely culprit.
Open Chemical Containers
Your AC might not even be the source of the smell. Open chemical containers stored near an air conditioning intake or ductwork could be the source. Once picked up in the airflow, these smells will be forced through the rest of the house. Homeowners and business owners often store chemicals in garages and attics to keep them out of harm’s way.
However, these can eventually leak if not sealed properly and make their way into the airflow. Please find all of the chemical containers around your home and business and safely store them away from your AC system for safety sake.
The AC unit itself
If your AC system smells like paint thinner, formaldehyde, or any other chemicals, it needs to be assessed before use. Many fluids are used within your AC system. They can be the culprit for an assortment of chemical type smells when the unit malfunctions. Contact your local HVAC contractor for a proper diagnosis.
Ozone Smells
Electrostatic type air filters can produce ozone and emanate an odor that smells like chlorine. Also, certain types of UV lights installed to irradiate filter surfaces to kill bacteria can produce ozone. Ozone is very unhealthy for people if inhaled in large enough quantities. Some can experience chest pains, while others may have trouble breathing. If you are unsure about what type of system you have. It’s best to call your local HVAC contractor to check on your system.
Glue Odors
If you have recently had any ductwork done, this may answer your home’s chemical smells. The glue used for duct installation can give off a heavy chemical odor while it’s drying. In this case, the smell won’t go away immediately; you must wait for the smell to fade. Run your AC units fan and open the windows to your home or business and wait for it to dissipate. If the problem persists, then discuss this with your local HVAC contractor.
Freon Leaks
Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon or CFC, which is also known as refrigerant. Freon is used to remove heat from the atmosphere and transfer it to somewhere else, usually outside your home or business. This is what keeps you cool inside. It is also harmful when it’s not contained appropriately.
Freon travels within the system in closed copper coils and lines. Though these coils and lines can sometimes crack and result in a refrigerant leak.
So what does Freon smell like?
A freon leak smells like coolant in your car and has a slightly sweet aroma.
Freon leaks can be toxic. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, then talk to your local HVAC contractor, who can use a freon leak detector to find and repair the issue.
6. Mold or Musty Smells
Does your AC smell like your grandma’s house? An Air Conditioning system that smells like mildew or mold is one of the most common air conditioning smells coming from HVAC systems. When the AC is running, there is a lot of condensation that builds up within the unit. If this moisture doesn’t drain properly, it can escape into the airflow and end up in the ducts and cause mold buildup in your ductwork. Call your local HVAC contractor to check out your AC system and ductwork for mold.
Mold is not a serious problem with the AC unit itself. However, the poor air quality that results from having mold in your system is dangerous to you and your family’s health. Mold can increase the risk of respiratory infections in both children and adults. It is best to keep your AC off until this problem can be remedied.
What your AC should smell like…
Now that you are fully informed about the types of air conditioning smells, you can better discuss a solution with your local HVAC Contractor. When troubleshooting a problem, use your other senses as well. Listen for abnormal sounds like knocking within the system when it’s running. Look for excess water around the unit or other liquids that don’t belong there.
Often the smells indicate that the system just needs a service. However, more serious odors like sulfur or gas indicate a much larger problem. If you are experiencing an electrical or burning odor, immediately shut down the unit and call your local HVAC technician.
Your local HVAC contractor can quickly diagnose any issue you have and recommend a variety of solutions to get your AC back up and running safely.
This article was originally written by Russell Jones, VP of Operations @ Phyxter, Home Improvement Specialist, and SEO Guru.
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