The summer is here and it’s time to start cooling off again. But before you turn on the AC, make sure that your system smells good! Here at Central Coast Air, we have collated a list of 10 of the most common types of bad air conditioning smells and their surprising causes:

1) Mouldy

This smell can be caused by excess humidity in your home or office building. To fix this problem, use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air. You should also clean up any standing water on floors or carpets as mould growth thrives in moist environments.

2) Stinky Feet

If your AC smells like stinky feet, then there is likely some type of biological contamination in the ductwork which needs to be cleaned out with a biocide. If your AC smells like stinky feet, be sure to clean the ductwork and use a biocide to kill any harmful bacteria or fungi. Also, clean your floors and carpets regularly to get rid of any bacteria or fungi that may be causing the smell. You can also try airing out your home or office building by opening windows and doors to let fresh air in.

3) Rotten Eggs

This smell can be caused by sulphur compounds that get into your air conditioner’s cooling coils from chemicals used on nearby roads or industrial operations like farming, refineries, and power plants. To fix this problem, have your AC coils professionally cleaned.

4) Burning Rubber

This smell can be caused by several things, such as a bad fan belt, an electrical short or an overheated compressor. To fix this problem, turn off your AC and call a technician to inspect it.

5) Mildew

This smell is typically due to excess moisture in the air. To fix this problem, use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air and clean up any standing water on floors or carpets as mould growth thrives in moist environments.

6) Cigarette Smoke

This smell is typically caused by tobacco smoke combined with grease build-up which sticks to your AC’s cooling coils. To fix this problem, have your AC’s fan cleaned professionally or replace a clogged air filter to remove the buildup from the airflow.

7) Rotten Vegetables

This smell is typically caused by mould and bacteria growth in the ductwork which can be caused by excess moisture. To fix this problem, use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air and clean up any standing water on floors or carpets as mould growth thrives in moist environments.

9) Chemical

This smell can be caused by many different chemicals, such as cleaners, paint fumes, pesticides, and even new carpeting. To fix this problem, open your windows to let fresh air circulate through your home or office building.

9) Sweet

This smell can be caused by cross-contamination of various air conditioner smells, such as when chemicals like paint are used on nearby roads and then carried through your AC system into the air you breathe. To fix this problem, open your windows to let fresh air circulate through your home or office building.

10) Burning

This smell can be caused by several things, such as an electrical short or overheated compressor. To fix this problem, turn off your AC and call a technician to inspect it.

Contact The Team At Central Coast Air

The best way to avoid bad air conditioning smells is by regularly cleaning your ductwork and vents. This will help remove any biological contaminants that may be causing the smell, and it will also improve the overall performance of your AC unit. If the smell persists after taking these measures, it may be time to call in a professional Central Coast Air technician for help. If you have any other questions about bad air conditioning smells, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 02 4365 2677 ! We would be happy to help.