Why Does the Air from My Air Conditioner Smell Bad?

Reasons Why the Air Smells Bad

If you have noticed an unpleasant smell in your house that increases when you turn on your A/C unit, it is a problem you would like to address immediately. So, let’s examine first the causes of bad air conditioning smells.

Dirty or Clogged Condensation Drain

When your A/C condensation drain is dirty or clogged, water will not drain properly and thus collects and begins to smell. The odor is much like dirty-stinky socks or feet. To address the problem, all you need to do is to clean or replace the filter.

Excess Humidity

A moldy odor is a red flag of high-levels of humidity. Usually, mildew or fungus have made a home in or near your cooling unit. When moisture is unable to drain correctly, mold grows quickly in areas with remaining moisture like the evaporator coils and the ductwork. Another cause of that nasty smell is dirty filters.

Pest Problem

Dead animals cause one of the nastiest smells in the venting system. That particular smell of rotten eggs or dirty trash indicates that you have a pest problem. Your ducts will need to be thoroughly cleaned to get rid of any decomposing animals and remove that horrible smell.

Overheating Motor

If your fan motor overheats or the circuit board shorted out, you would notice a burning scent that smells like gun powder.

Leaking Gas

Whenever you have a gas leak, you will detect a skunk-like scent. The gas could be getting into your ductwork and be causing this smell in your home. Call an A/C expert technician to fix the issue as this is a poisonous gas that can put your family at risk.

If you are experiencing bad smells in your A/C unit, contact HVAC experts to help you with the problem. Quinnair in Colorado is an HVAC local contractor with a team of certified technicians that will help you eliminate unpleasant odors and much more. Call us at (720) 634-2313 to schedule an appointment.