Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?

If there’s an odd odor around your outdoor AC unit, that’s a sign there’s probably a problem with it. Ordinarily, there shouldn’t be any smell at all. You can tell from the smell what the problem likely is.

Drainage Line Issue

There’s a drain pipe that takes moisture away from your outdoor AC unit. If it becomes clogged, it will produce a stale odor. An HVAC technician can inspect the drain line and clear it using a specialized suction device.

Motor or Electrical Short

A short in the motor or an electrical panel will produce an odor that smells like gunpowder or fireworks. If you smell this, immediately turn off your air conditioning system to prevent even more damage. A problem like this left unattended can cause a very expensive repair bill.

Loren’s Heating & Air in Salem, OR, is ready to help when your outdoor AC unit is producing strange odors. We’ve been in business for over 45 years and offer a 24/7 emergency repair service. All of our technicians are NATE certified, so they’ve met the highest standards of our industry.

Refrigerant Leak

Your AC system uses refrigerant to keep your home cool. When it leaks, it may smell like acetone near your outdoor AC unit. You need to fix this as it reduces the efficiency of your AC system and will harm the environment if your system uses R-22 refrigerant.

Dirty Evaporator Coils

Your air conditioning system has evaporator coils on the inside of your home. Their job is to remove heat from the air of your home. If they become moldy, they produce an unmistakable musty odor. You should call an HVAC professional to perform maintenance, which includes cleaning the evaporator coils.

Loren’s Heating & Air can help you with all of your heating and cooling needs. We install, repair and tune up heaters and air conditioners. Other services include fireplace inserts and indoor air quality solutions. Please call today to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions.