Your residential air conditioner is one of the biggest comforts of modern living. However, AC problems can create a significant problem when they occur. Is your AC emitting a horrible smell? If so, don’t panic!

Air conditioner units can emit a foul odor for many reasons. When you switch on your AC, especially after long periods of inactivity, dust, dirt and other debris can cause your system to smell. While most smells go away after a bit of time, some stick around. Some odors can not only be bothersome to your household but also be a danger to your health. Let’s discuss some strange smells that can come from your AC and when it’s time to call a local HVAC company for assistance!

5 Common AC Smells and What They Mean

If you notice any of the following smells coming from your AC unit, you should call your local AC company for an inspection.

Exhaust Fume Smell

Who isn’t familiar with the smell of exhaust fumes? Did you know that your AC may be to blame if your house suddenly smells of exhaust fumes? The cause could be fluid leaking in your AC unit or onto the motor. Since this can lead to significant damage to your unit, call your local AC company for help.

Stinky Sock Smell

As if doing the laundry wasn’t enough, now the pungent odor of stinky socks is flowing through your home. This could be because of bacteria growth in the condenser coils of your AC. Just like all other systems in your home, like your plumbing system, bacteria can damage your health when it grows in your AC. Cleaning your AC regularly can help you avoid this issue. Still, you’ll need to contact your local AC company if you notice this foul odor.

Rotting Smell

A rotting smell is another common odor you might notice with your AC. This is more common during the winter because small animals seek refuge in your HVAC systems during colder months. Some can even get trapped in the unit for days, resulting in their death. The trash-like foul smell that results can be so bad that you need to switch off your AC right away and open your windows for ventilation.

Mold or Mildew Smell

While your AC is performing its job, eliminating the moisture from the air and transferring cool air into your house, moisture can become trapped within your system. The moisture will eventually lead to mold growth into the system. This is a dangerous emergency as the mold could be blown out by your AC spreading into the air of your home. You could be breathing this hazardous bacteria into your lungs, resulting in serious health complications.

Burning Smell

A burning smell leaves you no time to wonder what could be happening in your AC. It’s an alert to a severe issue.  To be on the safe side, consider leaving your home and calling a local department along with your HVAC technician to check your residence. A professional technician could help you identify what has caught fire in the system, possibly a worn-out wire or an overheated motor. There is a high probability that there is a short circuit, and you’ll need immediate attention.

Contact a Reliable AC Company for Your Residential Needs

It’s essential to hire a licensed professional if you need help with your HVAC system. Contact a reliable Diamond Bar AC company to schedule an appointment.