Back to Air Conditioning

Posted: May 6, 2021

Your home is cooling, but you cannot figure out why suddenly strange smells are coming from your air conditioning unit or the vents. You are probably wondering if your air conditioning unit is malfunctioning and causing the smell and it is a health or safety hazard. There are several reasons why your AC could smell. Do not panic! Brevard Cooling and Heating can diagnose and assist you with any of these issues.

If there is a burning smell in your home, it can be worrisome. If the burning smell does not last, it could just be any dust burning off. If the smell does not go away, it can come from a broken capacitor or the motor overheating. A capacitor powers the motor and if it is broken, it can overheat. If a motor is overheating it is likely that the bearings on the motor are worn out. If you do not change the air filter regularly, it can limit the airflow, which can overheat electrical components. Other issues could be from the circuit board, the AC fan, compressor. Make sure to turn off your AC from the breaker.

Do you smell acetone (what nail polish remover smells like)? If so, you may have a refrigerant leak. If the AC unit is old or not maintained, the AC coil can develop holes and cracks. Not only can this issue make your AC unit underperform, but it is a health hazard.

Are you overwhelmed by rotten smells? Dead animals, such as rodents, birds, or lizards may be the reason why. These animals enter the air ducts and cannot get out. Over time, they decay and the smell flows throughout your home when you have the AC on.

If the smell is musty, there may be mold growing in the air ducts. If any moisture in the unit does not drain, it can end up in the ducts, and mold will grow. The mold is extremely harmful and when your air conditioner runs, it spreads the spores and mold throughout your home. If this is the case, the smell is the last thing you need to concern yourself with.

A rotten egg smell (sulfur) is a smell that should not be ignored. If you smell rotten eggs, this could be a gas leak. If you can smell it coming through your vents, do no turn on anything electrical and do not use lighters. Open your windows, vacate your home immediately and contact your gas company.

As always, we do not recommend anyone to work on their AC unit themselves. Contact Brevard Cooling and Heating at 321-757-9008 or schedule an appointment here: https://brevardcooling.com/schedule-service-appointment/ if you are smelling anything strange. We have the knowledge and expertise to resolve these issues and allow you to go back to enjoying your home.