NuBLUE REDEFINING
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
back to blog

How to Get Rid of a Bad Smell From Your Air Conditioner

Air Conditioning
post img

Your air conditioner is a wonderful household feature, especially during the warm weather months. However, this cooling unit can sometimes smell a little less than ideal, especially after a good amount of use. If your air conditioner emits a bad smell, don’t worry, as there are ways to clean the air conditioning unit and remove the unsavory odor. Here are some tips on how you can remove a bad smell from your air conditioner.

Why Does Your Air Conditioner Smell at Times?

There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner may smell bad. It could have a buildup of dust, dirt, and even pet dander if you have animals in the home. Also, mold and mildew can make for a smelly air conditioner. The interior working components of the air conditioner, such as the evaporator coil, drain pan, or air filters, may be dirty and cause a bad odor. If the smell seems like something is burning, it could be that the air conditioner is overheating or that it simply hasn’t been used recently, the latter of which may result in the smell just occurring for a few minutes after it’s turned on. 

Is This Air Conditioner Odor Normal?

Some air conditioner odors are normal and result from the continual use of the air conditioner whereas others can indicate a problem with the HVAC system. If the smell is a musty or mildew smell, it could be a normal occurrence due to your air conditioner running all the time. However, if the smell is a burning scent, this may indicate something more serious than just a smell caused by the air conditioner’s frequent use. If the smell is due to a more serious situation, such as an overheating condition or refrigerant leak, it may be time to contact your local HVAC professional to come out to evaluate and repair the problem. 

Steps to Remove a Bad Smell From the Air Conditioner

If the bad smell coming from your air conditioner is due to mold or mildew, you may be able to fix the problem on your own. First, you have to figure out why your air conditioner smells bad. Here are some steps you can take to try to remedy the bad smell coming from your air conditioning system:

 

  1. Make sure your air conditioner filter is clean: If your air conditioner filter hasn’t been changed in awhile, there could be dirt, debris, and other buildup filling the filter. Therefore, check your filter and change it if it’s dirty or hasn’t been changed in three months.
  2. Use a vacuum on the air vents: Clogged and dirty air vents can cause bad smells to permeate the room. Check the air vents and vacuum these areas if needed. 
  3. Check for leaks around the AC unit: Make sure the smell isn’t due to leaks around the air conditioner unit, such as on the ductwork or the AC unit itself. If you find leaks, contact your local HVAC professional for repair services. 
  4. Check the air conditioner drain line: Inspect the drain line to see if there’s any water collecting. If so, this may cause mold which can make the air smell bad plus it’s unhealthy for you and your family to breathe this in on a daily basis. If you notice leakage, contact your local AC repair company.

 

If you’ve inspected all of these areas of your HVAC unit and still have an issue with a bad smell coming from the air conditioner, it may be time to reach out for professional HVAC assistance.

Contact NuBlue for Your HVAC Repair and Replacement Needs

When your HVAC system isn’t working as it should, NuBlue can help you with your repair and replacement needs. If you live in the Lake Norman, Fayetteville, Charlotte, or Greenville areas of North Carolina, NuBlue can provide you with the HVAC services you need.

 

Contact NuBlue today for HVAC repair and replacement services! 

Our Promotions

$300 Savings on a Panel Swap
Upgrade Your Electrical Panel and Save $300 Today!
$75 Off Surge Protector Install
Protect Your Home and Save $75 on Surge Protection Installation!
Save $250 On A New Tank Water Heater
Enjoy huge savings when NuBlue installs your next tank water heater!
seo-img take the difficulty out of financing when you work with NuBlue & our preferred partners GET FINANCING

Contact Us Today

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Contact NuBlue today for all your home service needs

NuBlue service group truck
two nublue employees smiling in the office
two nublue employees smiling in the office
Why Choose NuBlue? North Carolina’s Go-To Electrical, Plumbing & HVAC Company

When you call NuBlue, you can rely on:

  • Same-day services
  • Licensed and insured
  • Trip charge applied to service
  • Upfront pricing
  • Background checked technicians
  • Financing options
  • Military/veteran/senior discounts
LEARN MORE