Why does my air conditioner stink? Unusual odors coming from window air conditioner units often result from mold growing on damp surfaces. Fix the Issues of Moisture – Air Conditioner Smells Musty. The mold … I notice today a slight musty smell near one of the AC vents that is in our living room. 2. It was a 12 hour job, due to how old the building is, etc. If moisture accumulates in the duct work, mildew and mold can grow. Mildew Smell. An AC capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). The energy and money savings generated from owning and operating a high efficiency HVAC unit is tremendous. Yet, when not taken proper care of, a portable air conditioner may start to smell. Any ideas? Hi everyone. If you turn on the air conditioner and smell rotten eggs, … This is a PVC pipe that you can see next to the condenser unit (the portion of the AC that sits outside your home). Unfortunately, there is one problem with an air conditioner that can cause massive disruptions to your life: unexplained, strong odor. For each ton of heat that has to be removed from your home, you need an AC with 12,000 BTUs. Living in Florida means we deal with our fair … Schedule it today, hassle free with Sansone. Over time, a filter can accumulate dirt, debris and even bacteria, which can result in an unpleasant odor when air passes through. Mold and mildew smells can start at virtually any point in the flow of air conditioning. Before you go, take a picture of the make and model you need for your air conditioner, or you can call your local HVAC technician to take care of it for you. It is caused by the build up of mold and bacteria on your evaporator coil. It is what’s known as ‘dirty sock syndrome’, and it might be the source of your air conditioner’s fragrance problem. Deposits can be deposited on the air filter and can cause the odor of fungi or mustard. If you don’t change them often enough, the dirt collected in them will block airflow, causing water drops from the humid air inside your house to collect on the evaporator coils. As mentioned before, the odor created from bacterial growth … A moldy smell coming from your air conditioner that reminds you of a wet towel smell … I also put in a brand new Charcoal cabin filter. The mildew and mold in the ducts will cause the musty smell. Another reason for this smell could also be dirty filters. Coatings of dust and dirt provide a perfect medium for the fungi that cause unpleasant smells. I thought that maybe it was just the brand new ac unit that needed to "burn off" something inside, so I let it run for a little while longer, but there was no improvement in the smell. If your air conditioning system is too big for your home, it can cause the air to be cycled throughout your home too quickly. Solution: You can purchase a new drip pan at any hardware store. Air Conditioning and Cooling Systems - New Portable AC unit is making my room smell ... Kind of a "toilet" smell. This is because it takes time for all the chemicals to circulate. Almost musty with a hint of urine. To address these issues and return the freshness to your home’s air, you need the help of Phoenix Arizona air conditioner repair technicians. However, you shouldn’t ignore it. Also, take a look at our guide to cleaning your air conditioner. Electrical Odors. As soon as you turn it on, you will be hit by a foul, musty odor. Central Air Conditioner smells - metallic sweet - smell A Rheem unit 3.5 tons 16 seer 2 months old - package unit - run for 2 months - it smells from the very first moment that they tested. My window air conditioner smells musty. Check out the complete instructions here. I just bought a brand new 2011 Infiniti Ex and there is a consistently bad smell coming from the ac. Dirty sock syndrome results from bacterial decay inside your air conditioner. Yet, if you get home and realize that it smells musty, you can only ignore the issue for so long. To absorb the smell quickly while you make the fix, try Fresh Wave Crystal Gel odor eliminator. Experienced, knowledgeable air conditioner professionals will be able to detect the cause of your system’s gross smell and take care of it as quickly as possible. There are several potential reasons why your air conditioner stinks. Mildew in Air Ducts & Vents. The AC’s refrigerant will continue cooling air, causing water drops to freeze on the coils. Broward: (954) 800-2858 Palm Beach: (561) 701-8274 St. Lucie: (772) 879-5656. Solution: The best way to remedy this issue is to schedule an air duct cleaning with a professional HVAC technician. Why is it happening, and what can you do about it? Central air conditioner - package unit - smells NEW by: Anonymous May 22,2014. A cleanse might be necessary every year or two, depending on the truck, the design of the air conditioning system and the way you use the A/C. Phoenix Arizona air conditioner repair technicians, Air Conditioning Unit Leaking Water Indoors [5 Reasons], How Often Should You Change Your Home Air Filter in AZ. If your house smells musty, your furnace may have a clogged condensate drain. Cousin to ‘burning smells,’ a distinctive, gunpowder-like aroma may also be due to a fried circuit board or fan motor.… If your AC smells musty, call your HVAC technician to take a look. Dirty sock syndrome is the foul, moldy smelling odor that comes from your air conditioner when you first turn it on. Mold spores could also cause allergic reactions and asthma. If you start smelling a moldy odor, your air conditioner has most likely started growing fungus. plagued by a musty/mildewy odor coming from their air vents, Autoscope’s AC “evap and recharge” service has a unique cleaning solution designed to effectively remove this build-up and eliminate the offending odor. Filthy air filters. I brought it to an a/c specialist who did a re-gas, changed the oil in the system and did 10/15 minutes of ozone treatment on it. With regular wear and tear, the drain pan can become rusted or won’t drain the collected water. Musty or Moldy Smell A musty or moldy smell could be likened to smelly feet or dirty socks. Burning Smell. A musty smell from air conditioners often points to a mold problem, as discussed above. There are several factors that may cause your air conditioning system to emit a moldy or musty smell. How Often Does a Home Air Conditioner Need to Be Serviced. Odor Issues With High Efficiency HVAC Units. We recently had three new identical Daikin splits (2.5kW Cora) installed in our bedrooms. I have had the unit serviced and keep the filter clean. ... My brand new air conditioner smells funny. If you need air conditioning services, give us a call today. If this is the case the any smell would be normal. Rotten eggs. Hi there, We bought a home 7 months ago. Air Ducts Mildew/Mold – The moldy or musty smell can occur when the AC system leaks water into the ducts. Bad smell can get through the air conditioner drain line back to the … One of the most typical causes of a smell from an AC unit is build-up on your filter. As we have seen, there are a number of reasons that your air conditioner might be emitting a foul scent. Every time your AC comes on, the air leaving your vents stinks with a musty odor. At Sansone, we combine quality products and superior service all at an affordable price. The most likely culprits include the following: Living in Florida means we deal with our fair share of humidity, which can directly cause excess moisture (and as a result, mold) to build up within the air ducts and air vents of your air conditioning system. Solution: Check and replace your air filters. After all, there are already a lot of things to do on a regular basis to occupy your mind: working out, taking your kids to school, commuting to work, and the million emails and questions from everyone at the office. Here are the most common reasons that a mildew smell begins to form: Turn … Unfortunately, these problems do crop up, and a maintenance issue that may be causing the odor to come from your unit is moisture in your ducts. They cool it very effectively however. Air Ducts or Air Vents Are Holding Excess Moisture. If you notice that the air from your central air conditioner smells musty, keep reading to learn some of the most common causes and how to address them. I took it in for service and they said they "cleaned out the AC" but the smell persists. Most likely it’s the smell of mold and/or mildew. If that’s the case, there is a DIY fix. Since your AC dehumidifies the air as it cools, mildew is one of the most common smells from the condensation it produces. When the humidity is removed from the air, the moisture causes water droplets to fall into an AC part called the drain pan (also known as a drip pan). A general smell likely indicates a buildup of mold, crushed leaves, or mildew in the system, while a smell that is concentrated on one side may mean a blocked A/C drain. For a quick fix to that mysterious aroma that happens whenever your air conditioner turns on, you might need to change an air filter. This results in improperly dehumidified air going through your AC, which can cause excess moisture throughout your home. It comes out of two vents in the ceiling. If your filters are new or cleaning doesn’t improve the smell, ... Air Quality Brand Buzz Energy Savings Home Improvement HVAC … One of the most typical causes of a smell from an AC unit … Air blown from a central air conditioner that has a foul odor may result from an underlying issue with your system that deserves immediate attention, both to improve the quality of your air and to protect your family’s health. If something smells like it’s burning, it probably is. Without proper maintenance of the filters, coils, and drains, a portable air conditioner can become overrun with mold, but it is easily cleaned away in most cases. It was built in 2008. Check your ducts for moisture and mildew, and clean them out if you find anything. Does the 8KW unit with approx 7.1KW of cooling appear … Whenever I turn on the a/c in my 2005 CLK there is a musty smell initially or when I change the temperature from one temperature extreme to the other. If you are lucky, this will immediately improve the quality of your air and save on more expensive repair solutions. In addition to the examples above, here are some of the main culprits: Smell: Musty/Dirty Socks. For more information, check out our blog: What to Do When Your AC Unit Freezes Up. Now with the weather getting warmer( we live in Chicago), we ran our air conditioning a few times. Type of ServiceAC ServiceAC InstallationAC MaintenancePlumbingOther, License #: CAC045862, CFC1426106, ER0011787, How to Clean Your AC’s Drain Line in 6 Simple Steps, air conditioning system is too big for your home, Common Thermostat Issues That Can Cause HVAC Problems, Whole House Water Filtration System Benefits. It's a 2 ton unit, same as the old one, but brand new. ___________________________________________. The air conditioning smells so must. Thanks. The smell is almost like a combination of mildew and urine. This occurs naturally as air conditioners remove excess moisture while cooling it. The chances are that this will completely solve your air conditioner’s odor problem.Â, Although it is not as familiar as it should be, there is actually a term for certain air conditioner smells. If your HVAC unit smells like it might be overheating, it very well could be. After 2.5 weeks of excruciating heat waves and a broken down central air unit, my building management finally installed a new unit in my apartment. At the top of the label, you’ll see your air conditioner’s model number (M/N). As a homeowner living in South Florida, you likely rely on your air conditioning system to keep your home comfortable almost year-round. Step 2 - Determine where the smell is coming from. To check the BTU capacity of your air conditioner, check the label on the condenser unit. The water that collects in the drain pan is drained outside your home through an AC part called the condensate line. When this occurs, mold can build up, and you’ll be able to smell it inside your home. Create a drain line siphon. To do so, shut off the air conditioner at the thermostat and at the breaker panel. Finally, an air freshener/antibacterial product is inserted to help discourage build-up of new mold and mildew. Smells range from a mild musty odor often related to mildew, to a rotten or spoiled food smell that indicates mold or bacteria growth. A musty smell from your air conditioner is normal the first few times you use it each season. Not all air conditioners are created the same. Possible Source: Dust and moisture sticking on the A/C evaporator coil and filter. That’s why it’s so important to have a reliable air conditioning company to call whenever you need AC repair services. When you run into a problem with your central air conditioner, including an unexplained odor, it is best to try the simple fix first. When moisture is not drained properly it starts to grow fungus. When working properly, AC units can overcome the presence of moisture, condensation, and exposure to the elements. Due to improper insulation, moisture can build up in your air conditioning ducts causing mildew to form. However, the unit is not without its faults. If there is a leak or other moisture problem in your HVAC, then the Air Conditioner Smells Musty. Microorganisms build up inside of your air conditioner, begin to decay, and then put out a strong aroma that smells a lot like an old pair of socks that have been buried in your laundry basket for an extended period—hence the name. Now, this one’s a little gross. If a musty odor is coming from the air conditioning, it means that there is mold, mildew, slime or other growth somewhere in the unit. Solution: If you’re not sure if you have the right size, an HVAC technician can assist you. We had a new Furnace/AC installed as well as a new hot water heater. The odor is not just repulsive but can affect the performance of the air conditioner negatively. One of them regularly blows out smelly air – kind of musty/fusty but hard to describe really. If we are lucky, our air conditioners run smoothly in the background without us ever noticing them. Then turn the AC back on. Sign up for the Hays newsletter for exclusive deals. I've read ( mainly USA) that oversized units tend to exhibit this issue of mustiness and mildew smells as they don't condition or dehumidify the air properly. While some of the causes are relatively simple, others, like mildew, can turn very serious very quickly, making it difficult to live in your home and possibly putting your family’s health at risk. Changing air filters every 90 days will reduce any deodorant and mechanical problems. For a simple how-to guide to cleaning your AC’s drain line, check out our blog: How to Clean Your AC’s Drain Line in 6 Simple Steps. The first couple of weeks after installation we never really used it – but as soon as we started using it regularly the smell was evident. When we moved in we had the Air ducts cleaned. Making sure that your central air conditioner gets regular cleaning and maintenance will help you avoid dirty sock syndrome so that the air in your home stays fresh.Â. Air conditioners work by absorbing warm air from inside your home, removing humidity from it, cooling it, and cycling it back into your home through the return vents. Once mildew sets in, it produces a very distinct odor that is decidedly unpleasant. Since this pipe is a small, enclosed space designed to hold water, it’s a prime location for mold, mildew, and sludge to grow – causing clogs and musty smells inside your house. Since you do not mention how long you have had it, I am assuming that this is a brand new install (like a few days). A working air conditioner is one of those things most people tend to take for granted. 5. The unit is in a small attic off the master bedroom. Since a clogged air filter reduces airflow in your system, it can allow moisture and … Solution: To prevent this from happening, you should clean it once a month. Remove the cap from the PVC pipe and slowly pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the opening. That’s bad news because your AC is most likely distributing mold and/or mildew spores throughout your home. When you run into a problem with your central air conditioner, including an unexplained odor, it is best to try the simple fix first. The BTU capacity is the number in the second section of the M/N, after the first dash. In areas with high humidity, it’s not uncommon for moisture levels in … Not to forget that it poses genuine health concerns for you and your family. When you purchase a unit, you have to take into account the square footage of your home, construction materials, type of insulation, ceiling height, and how many people live with you. This could be an … Ideally, thanks to preventative maintenance, problems with your central air conditioner should have been addressed before they begin. In order for air to flow freely through this process, it’s crucial to have clean air filters. My portable air conditioner smells. What in the world could it be? Either way, it's supposed to make you comfortable, and that's not possible if there's an unpleasant, musty smell coming out of your vents. Smell: Mold/Mildew Let the solution sit for about half an hour. For those drivers of European cars (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Range Rover, Jaguar, etc.) If the smell is most noticeable on the fresh air setting, it is likely that the problem lies outside of the A/C system. Those things most people tend to take for granted deposits can be deposited on the coils your air stink. You can purchase a new Furnace/AC installed as well as a homeowner living in Florida we. 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