While the air conditioner is an amazing piece of equipment, being in an air-conditioned room can sometimes turn into a not-so-pleasant experience. You may have often noticed these weird and terrible smells come from your air conditioner and could not figure out why this was happening. Air conditioner smells can be even more awful because there is no other ventilation system in the room.
Let us find out what that smell is and where it is coming from. If you reside in St. Louis and your air conditioner unit is giving off foul smells, call the experts at Galmiche & Sons at 314-993-1110 for servicing immediately.
Different Air Conditioner Smells You May Come Across
Here are a few common air conditioner smells that most users complain of:
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Car exhaust: Although there are no fuels used in your air conditioning system, the air coming out of it may sometimes smell like car exhaust. This smell is given off by the fluids contained inside the unit. Your AC unit has fluids or refrigerants inside, which when heated can smell like exhaust fumes.
If your air conditioner smells like exhaust fumes, the most likely reason is a leak in the refrigerant line. The refrigerant is probably coming in contact with some hot component inside the unit and giving off these fumes.
A leak can also be risky in some cases, so call an air conditioner servicing contractor immediately if you smell exhaust fumes from your AC.
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Must or mold: A musty or moldy smell from air conditioners is quite common. The reason behind this dingy air conditioner smell is usually mold or mildew growth in the ducts of the HVAC system. Excess moisture in the air may escape the air conditioning system and get trapped in the duct causing these foul smells.
In this case, your AC needs thorough cleaning by a professional HVAC contractor.
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Rotten eggs: If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there could be a number of factors. It could be due to a dead rodent or lizard inside the unit. It could also be a gas leak in the house that has somehow made its way into the air conditioner’s ductwork.
Whatever the reason may be, it is very important to get it checked immediately to confirm.
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Burning smell: A burning smell almost always means that something inside your AC unit is overheating. If the smell is faint, there is nothing to be alarmed of. It is likely to go away when you turn the AC off and allow it to cool down. But if this air conditioner smell is very evident, it could be a short circuit or something sparking inside, which is a fire hazard.
Turn your AC off immediately and call an expert HVAC contractor.
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Cigarette smoke: An AC giving of smells like cigarette smoke is most likely because of cigarette smoke itself. If you or someone else is always smoking in the air-conditioned room, the evaporator coils and air filter absorb the smell from the smoke circulating through the system. So when you turn your AC on again, it gives of the foul and unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke.
The simple solution to this problem is to get the air filter changed every 30 to 60 days. It may also help to get your AC professionally cleaned every year. But for a permanent solution and the accompanying health benefits, you might consider quitting smoking too.
Do Not Take Air Conditioner Smells Lightly
From everything we have seen above, it is certain that air conditioner smells like these are not normal. Whatever the reason may be, a smell always indicates an underlying problem. Whether it is a moldy duct or a gas leak or a dead rat inside your AC unit, each has its share of risks to health and property.
So make sure to take immediate action if your air conditioner smells different.
Get Your AC Unit Cleaned by Professionals
Yearly cleaning and servicing of your AC unit by a professional is a must for its longevity and your health. For a thorough servicing, you can rely on Galmiche & Sons. We have been proudly serving St. Louis homes and businesses since 1950. Call our heating & air conditioning experts or connect with us online to request a quote for HVAC maintenance right away.
