AC Odors And How To Get Rid Of Them

Bad smells are a normal yet unpleasant part of life. Almost everything is capable of producing nasty smells— including your AC. The various foul smells that waft out of your system are all caused by different materials.

If you’re experiencing strange air conditioner smells in your home, it’s time to take action! At Brown Cooling, Heating, Plumbing and Electrical, we’re familiar with many common air conditioner scents in Hueytown. If you’re looking to combat that pesky smell coming from your unit, we can help you determine the cause and suggest some possible solutions!

Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell Strange?

There are a few common causes of air conditioning odors. If you want to get rid of the smell, you’ll need to determine the root issue first. Most are caused by common AC problems. Here are a few types of AC odors that we’re familiar with at Brown Cooling, Heating, Plumbing and Electrical:

Burning Smell

If you notice a burning smell coming from your AC unit, the first thing you should do is shut it off and contact us for assistance. Burning smells can be caused by a few different system malfunctions, including:

• Poor lubrication of parts
• Broken fan belt or capacitor
• Electrical problems

Burning smells can be dangerous if not dealt with properly since they can lead to fires. Don’t attempt to fix your unit by yourself if you need to eliminate a burning odor in your home. Instead, contact an HVAC professional to complete the repair correctly and efficiently.

Gas Odor

Does your air conditioner smell like sulfur or rotten eggs? An aroma of this variety usually means there is a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas leaks are very dangerous, so you’ll need to act fast.

Here’s the best plan of action to combat this odor:

• Turn off the gas supply in your home.
• Open your windows to allow the exchange of air.
• Leave your home.
• Contact your local gas company to address the issue.

Chemical Smell

A common odor that AC units produce is chemical smells. Oftentimes, chemical aromas smell fruity, sweet or like paint. The leading cause of a chemical smell is a refrigerant leak. Your AC needs refrigerant to get rid of the heat in your home and cool it down. However, it can also leak out of cracks in the coils of your AC, leading to chemical odors in your home. Here are a few signs of a refrigerant leak:

• Weird noises from your AC
• High energy bills
• Ice forming in and around your AC system

Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous to your health. Contact Brown Cooling, Heating, Plumbing and Electrical so a professional AC technician can perform the proper repairs.

Musty Odor

Musty odors from your unit are usually caused by excess moisture in your air conditioning system or drainage clogs. If the evaporator coil in the machinery is dirty, the mold and mildew growing on it will cause the air in your home to smell. Musty odors can also be caused by growth in your air ducts from high humidity, which we know all about in Hueytown!

To prevent musty odors in your system, routinely change your air filter and schedule seasonal AC tune-ups each year. These practices are preventative measures that will keep your unit clean and functioning efficiently.

Keep Your Cool With Hueytown AC Repairs

If you’re experiencing suspicious odors coming from your unit, it’s time to contact Brown Cooling, Heating, Plumbing and Electrical. We perform high-quality AC repairs in the Hueytown area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!