AC System Odor Signs
Air conditioners keep you comfortable all year long, even during hot and humid summers.
No matter how hot it gets outside, a well-running air conditioner keeps your family, pets, and plants comfortable.
What are some signs that your air conditioner is having trouble? Follow your nose and be aware of any changes in smells in your home. It’s a sign that something is wrong when your air conditioner emits unusual or unpleasant odors. There’s no need to feel alone if your home smells like an old gym locker room. Water builds up on the evaporator coils of air conditioners, causing this particular smell to develop. When you use your air conditioner, condensation can cause bacteria and mold to grow on the evaporator coils. As soon as you notice this problem, you need to take action. It’s not a good sign if your home smells like chemicals when you turn on your air conditioner. Your AC is probably leaking refrigerant if it has a chemical odor. Refrigerant leaks can start small but become serious over time. If you don’t handle this issue quickly, your entire unit may fail and need to be replaced. When the air conditioner is on, do you smell vinegar or pickles? Your AC might smell sharp or acidic for a number of reasons. Clogged filters, moldy ducts, or too much condensation could be to blame. There should never be a burning smell coming from appliances or household systems. Your AC unit may have a broken part if you smell smoke or burning. When capacitors, fan belts, and electrical connections break or become loose, they can cause a burning smell. Burning smells and smoke can be signs of a fire. You should always have your unit professionally serviced if you notice these smells.