6 Common Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix the Problem

Home / Blog / 6 Common Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix the Problem

If a bad stench fills your home, forcing you to turn your AC off, it is likely that something is wrong with your unit. Don’t ignore it, better yet, continue reading for more information on how to fix the issue. In this post, we’ll go over some of the common reasons why you may have a strange smell emitting from your air conditioner.
In reality, the smell of an air conditioner is a warning that something is wrong with the AC system.

Common Air Conditioner Smell And The Ways To Fix Them

Here are the six most common air conditioner smells and how to fix them.

  • Moldy Odor

Mold can cause a noticeable smell in the air conditioning unit. The best way to fix this problem is to prevent mold from forming in the first place. Use fresh filters on your AC unit every month, and clean out any dirt, dust, or debris that builds up over time. If the smell persists after following these instructions, contact our technician for AC replacement in Corpus Christi.

  • Odor Of Rain Or Dew

Rain and dew can also cause an unpleasant smell in your AC unit. When moisture condenses on the cooling coils inside your AC unit, it will produce a wet odor. To fix this problem, ensure your roof isn’t leaking and remove any excess water around your AC unit. Next, check to see if your vents are closed properly – if they are not, warm air will enter the unit while it is cooling, leading to more moisture accumulation.

  • Chemical Smell

Some chemicals used in air conditioning units can produce a bad odor. To fix this problem, contact us for air conditioning repair in Corpus Christi. Ask our technician to clean the filter or replace the filter cartridge. Simple solutions like these will solve all of the air conditioning units’ problems related to sour odor.

  • Sulfur Dioxide Smell

When sulfur dioxide gets mixed with water vapor, it forms sulfuric acid, which smells bad! Be cautious since a gas leak may be present if you detect any of these smells when the heating and cooling system operates.

The best way to avoid this problem is to turn off the HVAC system. Open every window after that, then leave the house right afterward.

If you think the issue may be more significant, contact our technician for AC replacement in Corpus Christi and wait for them to fix the issue.

  • Burning Plastic Or Burning Rubber Scent

When an AC component overheats, the casing or plastic around it may overheat or burn, emitting a burning plastic or burning rubber odor. It is unmistakably a symptom of an electrical problem.

Electrical issues demand professional attention. Call our HVAC contractor to inspect and perform air conditioning repair in Corpus Christi to fix the problem.

  • Dirty Socks Smell

The source of this odor is a set of grimy evaporator coils. The evaporator coil gets dirty over time and gathers dust, dirt, grime, germs, moisture, and occasionally mold. Making sure the evaporator coils are clean is all that is required. A homeowner won’t ever have this problem as long as they maintain their air conditioner properly.

Conclusion

Oftentimes, the odor of your air conditioner indicates that you have neglected to maintain it. Ensure your unit receives prompt maintenance every year if you don’t want to be confronted with these unpleasant odors.

If you haven’t scheduled your AC maintenance, call Alpha A/C and Heating and Air professionals to set up an appointment to keep your AC unit running optimally.