When you turn your air conditioner on for the season, you may find that a strange smell has developed since you used it last. If this is the case, you’ll want to remove the smell so you can enjoy the air conditioner for the remainder of the summer.
Determining what the cause of the smell is might be more complex than it seems because there are many potential causes. If you aren’t sure where the smell is coming from, you may want to consult with our professionals at Genuine Comfort about what might be causing it.
1. Your Coils Are Dirty
If you have used your furnace all winter long but have not changed the air filter throughout the season, the dirt, dust, and debris on the filter may have gotten on the coils. As you begin to use your air conditioner, the dirty coils cooling may start to give off a strange smell. This smell will go away over time.
If you get your furnace serviced every year, you can ask your technician to look at the coils and drip pan to see if they can do anything to flush out the debris. This flushing of debris may expedite the process of removing the smell, though it still may take some time.
2. There’s Mold Or Mildew
If the strange smell of your air conditioner is musty, mold or mildew may have formed in or near your unit. If there is excess moisture and a problem with drainage, it is the perfect setting for mold and mildew to grow.
If you suspect mold or mildew near your air conditioner, you can start by investigating around the unit. You may want to call a professional if you don’t see any visible mold near or on the unit. The technician can look in the unit to see any internal development and suggest a course of action to remove it and prevent mold or mildew development.
3. There’s A Gas Leak
If the strange smell from your air conditioner smells like gas or skunk, and the unit is gas-powered, you likely have a gas leak. If this is the case, you should turn your air conditioner off immediately, open a window to air out the gas and leave your home.
From there, you need to call a professional to fix the leak. Gas leaks pose a significant risk to your family’s safety, so stay away until a professional has repaired it. Because this is an emergency service, your HVAC service provider should send a technician out immediately to assess and repair your leak.
4. Other Fluids Are Leaking
Not all leaks will be as dangerous as a gas leak. If the strange smell from your air conditioner smells similar to exhaust fumes, it could be other fluids from the unit’s engine.
You’ll need to contact a professional if you believe you have a leak in your air conditioner. The technician can take a look at the unit. If they find a leak, they should be able to fix it quickly. Until a technician fixes the leak, the strange smell will persist.
5. Something Is Broken
There is a chance that the strange smell coming from your air conditioner smells like gunpowder, a part in your air conditioner may be broken. A professional can replace any broken parts and alleviate the smell.
You should regularly schedule maintenance to preserve each part of your air conditioner. If you speak to a professional before turning on your air conditioner for the season, they can assess the state of your air conditioner and make suggestions to save you time and frustration.
6. There’s An Animal Body In It
If the strange smell coming from your air conditioner is reminiscent of rotten eggs, there may be a dead animal in the unit. During winter, small animals, like rodents and birds, may take shelter inside your air conditioner. If they are unable to get out, you may have to deal with the smell of their body in your air conditioner.
If you suspect a dead animal body is in your air conditioner, call a professional to remove the body. The technician may also find gaps the animal used to get in, preventing this problem from persisting.
Fixing Your Air Conditioner’s Strange Smell With Genuine Comfort
If your air conditioner has a strange smell and you’re struggling to determine where it is coming from, speaking to a professional at Genuine Comfort can help. With years of experience and happy customers, we’re confident we can get your air conditioner working correctly and diminish any unpleasant smells coming from it. If you want to schedule an appointment with our team, reach out to us today.
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