Dust, hair, and moisture on the AC filter encourage mildew growth, which can cause a musty odor when the air conditioner runs. This is a likely reason why the air conditioner smells when first turned on if you don't use forced-air heating in winter. To help prevent this odor, clean or replace the filter in the spring.
If you smell sewage when you turn on your A/C unit, your sewer system may have backed up into your house or near your unit, and the smell may come from a ruptured pipe. Contact an air conditioning company right away if you notice a sewage smell or detect methane in your home. Do not let this problem linger!
An air conditioner that smells like rotten eggs or sulphur almost always means one thing: there's a gas leak in your house, which is getting into your ductwork. Natural gas is a hazardous substance. It can catch fire, explode, and/or reduce oxygen levels in the bloodstream with severe, often fatal, consequences.
A burning odor from an HVAC unit is usually a sign of a faulty compressor, electrical wiring, or fan. These parts of the HVAC system are manufactured from an array of metals and chemicals. Therefore, exposure to such smells is potentially harmful to your health.
If you notice a burning odor, turn off the air conditioner. Check around the house to see if there is another source responsible for the odor such as cigarette smoke. If not, keep the system off and call for AC repairs.
Your air filters are your first line of defense against mold and bacteria build-up. If the smell doesn't go away, you should first clean or replace your filters. If your filters are new or cleaning doesn't improve the smell, contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist™ to clean and inspect your ductwork.
Getting a Moldy or Musty AC Smell? A stale and dingy smell is by far the most common and foul smell experienced from ACs. If your AC smells musty, the general cause is the accumulation of water in the drain pan or drip lines (or ducts in case of ducted systems), which can cause fungus or mildew to grow.
This air conditioner smell is likely caused by a dirty evaporator coil or clogged condensate drain. If it's the former, you can help by spraying your condenser with a hose to clear out dirt and debris (turn off the disconnect first). But you should consider a A/C tune up for a professional clean.
When you turn on the AC unit again for the first time in a while, it will likely smell like burning. The good news is that this smell should disappear within just a few minutes. However, if you do find that the smell persists for longer, then it's time to get in touch with our team as there may be a more serious issue.
In short, a musty smell indicates bacterial growth build-up, which forms on the drain, evaporator coil, or in the drip pan or drain line of your AC. Your evaporator coil is a dark and humid location, so all sorts of mold and mildew can grow, which causes that unpleasant, musty smell.
This air conditioner smell is likely caused by a dirty evaporator coil or clogged condensate drain. If it's the former, you can help by spraying your condenser with a hose to clear out dirt and debris (turn off the disconnect first). But you should consider a A/C tune up for a professional clean.
Clogged Drain Lines
If your drain line has become clogged, it may freeze your AC system, cause the drain pan to overflow, and lead to further damage. This buildup of moisture can cause a musty smell.
Use Baking Soda in Your Ductwork
Baking soda is an ideal fix for odor coming from air conditioning vents, as it naturally absorbs all sorts of smells. If the AC smells bad and the odors are coming from inside the ducts, you may have to put the baking soda inside the ductwork for maximum effectiveness.
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn't the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
Getting a Moldy or Musty AC Smell? A stale and dingy smell is by far the most common and foul smell experienced from ACs. If your AC smells musty, the general cause is the accumulation of water in the drain pan or drip lines (or ducts in case of ducted systems), which can cause fungus or mildew to grow.
When you turn on the AC unit again for the first time in a while, it will likely smell like burning. The good news is that this smell should disappear within just a few minutes. However, if you do find that the smell persists for longer, then it's time to get in touch with our team as there may be a more serious issue.
Vinegar may smell bad, but it has two good purposes with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Many people already know that vinegar is great for cleaning out the drain line. But a mix of vinegar and water also is an effective way to keep the coils clean and the system humming.
You can also boil the vinegar to help rid the air of particularly noxious or pervasive odors, or to nix them faster (the steam helps spreads the vinegar around the room).
How long will a bowl of vinegar absorb odors for? You can leave a bowl of vinegar out in the kitchen for several hours and it will help to get rid of smells.
Vent A Little
By placing a few dryer sheets behind vents throughout the house, you can have that fresh-laundry aroma in every room—without the hassle of the chore. As the air flows through the vents, it will dry out the dryer sheets, so you'll need to replace them every few weeks.
When it comes to the nitty gritty, cleaning air ducts is not a do-it-yourself job. It requires tools, such as a high-powered vacuum and rotary brushes, that you don't have lying around in the garage. In addition, an improper cleaning job could damage the ducts, resulting in expensive repairs.