What To Do When Your AC Smells

close up of a spray bottle near a AC unit air filters

Picture this, you come home from work and want to beat the heat, so you reach for your thermostat and crank up the air conditioning. While you are cooling off, you notice something does not smell right. If you start noticing an odd smell coming from your air ducts or directly from your AC unit, here is what you need to know!

Handling Moldy Smells

Regarding air conditioner maintenance, we must never forget the importance of ensuring that drain pans and other drainage systems are working correctly to ensure that excess moisture build-up never becomes an issue with your appliances. Excess moisture can lead to mold growth, which can be the source of your mildew or moldy smell lingering across the house.

Take the time to inspect the drain pan to make sure you have no mold growth. Checking for potential leakages near your AC unit can also help identify sources of potential water damage. Another often overlooked source of mildew smells the AC unit's air filters, as dirty air filters can worsen with high humidity.

The Smell Of Gas Or Smoke

If you begin to notice the smell of a burning tire or smoke spreading across your home, check all your gas-powered appliances, such as your stove, to make sure you are not burning anything. Sometimes malfunctions in AC systems can lead to burning components, which can melt plastic casings and wires.

If you notice that this burning smell worsens when your AC is on, make sure to power off the system immediately and contact our team immediately. The smell of natural gas is also the sign of a malfunction with your home's gas lines leading to a gas leak flowing through your air ducts. Call professional help immediately, turn off your gas lines, and proceed with caution.

Chemical Odors

If you begin to notice harsh chemical smells flowing across your home, you may be looking at potential freon leaks in your AC unit. If you have a leak in your refrigerant lines, properly ventilate your home and call our technicians immediately.

You would be surprised what can cause odd smells found emanating from your air conditioning. If you notice strange smells coming from your AC at Precision Heating & Air we can help you find peace of mind by fixing the issue at the root cause. Call (512) 379-6385 today if you have HVAC questions or concerns!