It hardly seems possible; surviving the summer heat and winter chill without the trusty air conditioner. Your favourite form of climate control can keep you and the family comfortable during weather extremes, regardless of whether you have central air conditioning, a window unit or a ductless system.
But what happens when you switch on the system only to discover that the AC smells musty? Or, more specifically, what happens when the air flowing through your home smells stale and dank, far from the freshness you’re expecting?
The cause may shock worse than the odor itself.
Musty odors are caused by mold – the undesirable fungus that spreads through moist environments, producing airborne spores that affect allergies and respiratory symptoms. As mold multiplies, it emits detectable gasses and is likely the reason why your AC smells musty.
A musty AC occurs for one of two reasons. First, there’s water pooling somewhere in the system. It could be caused by a leak, a drain pan that fails to empty or a clog that creates a suitable spot for retaining moisture.
The pooling water can become a breeding ground for mold and also mildew. Both of which can result in bad smells.
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The other leading cause is dirty filters. The AC’s filters are designed to collect dust. However, in high humidity regions like Louisiana and Florida, the dust can retain moisture causing the filters to become a suitable breeding ground for mold.
Ultimately, mold reduces air quality and has a negative impact on health. Healthline reports that exposure to mold causes eye irritation, a runny nose, coughing, headaches, sore throat and respiratory problems.
So, if your AC smells musty, clean the filters. Access to the filters differs depending on the type of system in use. Refer to the manual for instructions. It’s recommended that the filters be cleaned every three months and more often during periods of heavy use.
If this doesn’t remove the odor, request repairs from a licensed HVAC technician, like the Jim’s Air Conditioning team. HVAC technicians can service the system and remove the source of pooling water, improving air quality in the process.
A dank, musty smell is just one of the unpleasant aromas that can emanate from your air conditioner. In addition, you should remain on alert for any of the following:
AC Smells Like Vinegar
What’s potentially worse than mold growth is when an AC smells like vinegar. Some describe it as an ozone smell. Others say fishy smell, but vinegar appears to be the most common description for what could be fried electrical components.
This unique odor can result from water damage, overheating or the AC receiving the incorrect voltage. Fried components can escalate into an electrical fire. So if your AC smells like vinegar, shut it down immediately and refrain from further use until the damaged parts are replaced.
AC Smells Like Gas
Natural gas, rotten eggs and sulphur are all used to describe the foul odor that could signify a deceased animal or rodent within your system.
Birds, rats, lizards and squirrels are all known for exploring a little too close to the home and can become trapped within ducts or an AC’s compressor. It doesn’t take more than a few days for a distinct odor to waft into the home or through the air conditioner.
If the AC smells like gas, investigate and remove the animal yourself or call in a professional. And it wouldn’t hurt to have the system checked over and cleaned by an HVAC technician before further use.
AC Produces a Chemical Smell
The AC’s heating and cooling process relies on refrigerant gas, a compound that condenses into a liquid then expands back into a gas. These gases are also found in refrigerators and freezers, but all you really need to know is that they are essential to the process. So, if your AC is producing a unique chemical smell, there’s a chance that the refrigerant gas is leaking.
A fault or damage to the outdoors compressor can leak refrigerant, which can harm your health and the environment. The BBC reports on how refrigerants are a major contributor to greenhouse gases and ozone depletion. This is because their capacity to warm the atmosphere is up to 11,700-times higher than the carbon dioxide released by a car.
Leaking refrigerant also reduces the performance of the AC, potentially ending its ability to cool and heat the home. If your AC smells like chemicals, switch it off and contact a professional for repairs.
Remaining aware of these offensive odors could save you from a world of trouble. Taking action as soon as detected reduces the risks of fire, can help you save on the costs of further repairs and ensures clean air for all occupants.
So if the AC smells musty or like any of the other mentioned odors, take the appropriate steps ASAP. Only licensed heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians (HVAC) are legally permitted to work with refrigerants. And we don’t recommend taking apart a unit without the technical know-how. Instead, speak to a professional about repairs if the problem is more complex than cleaning the filters. The last thing you need is to be the one responsible for the bad smell wafting through your home.
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