So you’ve made it back to your home, ready to take it easy after a long day at work or outside. You turn on the A/C unit and realise something has gone terribly amiss—there’s a foul odour wafting in the air as soon as you turn on the appliance.
You have this sneaky suspicion that the A/C unit is the source of the smell. You decide to reset the appliance, and realise it’s true: the bad smell is indeed coming from the air conditioning unit.
Fortunately for homeowners, a bad A/C smell is not something that you’re stuck with forever. This problem is completely fixable once you find the source of what’s causing the problem.
The question then becomes, what exactly are issues that can cause one’s A/C unit to stink? In this article, we’ll cover potential reasons why your air conditioner smells and what you can do to fix them, DIY style.
If you’re ready to clear your home’s air, let’s jump right into it!
Car Exhaust
If your A/C unit smells like smoke coming out of a car, then it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. A refrigerant is a cooling agent that’s responsible for promoting the cooling effect of your A/C unit.
If the refrigerant line is leaking, this can cause the chemical to get released into the air. In some cases, the smell is like that of a harsh chemical or car exhaust. In other cases, it takes on an oddly sweet form. In any case, this can deteriorate indoor air quality and potentially cause health problems to the people dwelling inside the room. This may include arrhythmias and seizures.
It’s not uncommon for some A/C types to leak Freon and have it falling to the floor. Freon is denser than air, so this can happen. In any case, this leak is dangerous and should be addressed by mechanics who specialise in air conditioning repairs across Sydney or other parts of Australia.
The fix: If you suspect that you’re dealing with a Freon or refrigerant leak with your A/C unit, then turn off the A/C unit and open the windows immediately. Allow fresh air to circulate and come inside your building. This will help prevent a gas buildup and decrease the chances of hazardous air from accumulating.
Musty or Mildew Smells
Some A/C units can develop a musty smell over time. This happens when your A/C unit has trapped moisture inside of it that fails to drain completely. Neglected moisture can cause mould and mildew to grow in the A/C’s internal parts over time, particularly in the filters and coils.
When this happens, the A/C unit can develop a musty smell, particularly when you’re close to it or when it’s turned on. This isn’t only unpleasant to smell, but it can also be a health hazard as mould can enter the nose and lungs of people close by, damaging the respiratory system and potentially infecting people with fungal infections like aspergillosis.
The fix: To solve this common A/C issue, you should make it a priority to clean your evaporator coils and air filters regularly. If your A/C unit uses disposable filters, then change it to a new one every three months. If your A/C unit uses reusable ones, then clean it with warm water and a mild detergent solution.
Furthermore, you should also clear the condensate drain and remove any water that may be sitting inside the unit. Flush it with a mix of white vinegar and warm water to completely eliminate the odour.
Dirty Sock Smell
If your room smells like a dirty sock or wet feet with the A/C unit on, then the appliance may be to blame,
The reason why this happens is because of bacteria and mildew growing inside the evaporator coils or within the unit. When moisture lingers in the system, it can cause bacteria and mould to build up within the environment of the A/C unit. This is most especially common in humid climates.
The fix: You should clean your evaporator coils and replace air filters regularly to get rid of this smell. You should also dry moist environments like the condensate drain to prevent bacteria and mould from proliferating. You can help dry your unit by running it in fan-only mode after a cleanup.
Sweet Smell
Another warning sign of a faulty air conditioner is a sweet smell coming out of your A/C unit. Some A/C units emit a sweet smell during use, particularly old units. The likely culprit of this phenomenon is a refrigerant or gas leak.
Another way to confirm your suspicions of a refrigerant leak is the reduced cooling capacity of your A/C unit. When this happens, it’s important to address this situation right away, as prolonged Freon exposure can lead to dizziness, headaches, and serious neurological symptoms.
The fix: Turn off the A/C unit, ventilate the room, and contact a licensed HVAC technician to repair or replace the system. These experts will have the specialised skills to handle the equipment and bring it back to shape safely.
Cigarettes or Burning Materials
Another odour that may come from an A/C unit is pungent cigarette smoke. This smell isn’t only uncomfortable, but it can also lead to health problems like headaches.
This smell may attach itself to your A/C unit if you smoke a lot indoors. In particular, your evaporator coil and filter may absorb cigarette smoke whenever you light one up, and these particles could spread whenever you turn your A/C on.
In connection with a cigarette smell, your A/C unit may also smell like burning components. This could be the case of your A/C’s components getting damaged and catching fire—particularly the circuit board, power wires, fans, or compressors.
The fix: If you suspect that the smell resembles cigarette smoke, take some time to clean the filters and wipe out dust in the evaporator coils. If the smell is coming from damaged components, get an A/C specialist to diagnose and repair your unit as soon as you can. Furthermore, avoid turning on the A/C until it’s thoroughly clean and safe to do so.
Rotten Animal Smell
If your A/C unit has a funky smell of something rotten and animalistic, then it may be exactly what you think it is.
It’s possible for animals like birds, rodents, and even bigger pests to build a nest and trap themselves in your A/C unit. They may pass in these small spaces and decay over time, which can lead to their scent mixing in with the cool emissions coming from your A/C unit.
Furthermore, these animals may have caused interior damage to your A/C unit, destroying parts of your A/C unit in the process. In any case, dealing with this smell is a major problem that needs urgent addressing.The fix: Let a technician remove the carcass from the A/C unit or remove it yourself. Clean and wipe away parts where the animal may have come into contact with the appliance. In some cases, you may encounter damaged components, so get a technician to diagnose and repair any malfunctioning parts.
