Why Is My Air Conditioner Producing Foul-Smelling Air?

If your Air Conditioner has started producing some unpleasant odors, it is usually a sign of mold, mildew, bacteria, or a pest problem. Depending on the issue, the smell alone is likely enough to trigger a call to your local HVAC technician.

Believe it or not, you can begin diagnosing the reason behind your Air Conditioner’s foul odor by simply smelling out the problem. If the air smells like musky, dirty socks, then the odor is likely caused by mold, mildew, and/or bacteria buildup. Likewise, a rotten egg smell is more indicative of a pest problem or dead rodent inside your unit.

What if my Air Conditioner smells like dirty socks? 

If you fall into the category of mold, mildew, and bacteria, it is likely that mold and/or mildew has grown on the evaporator coils or in the ductwork, or that your condensate drain line has become clogged. If you suspect mold or mildew,

  • Signs of a dirty evaporator coils includes visible signs of bacteria, mold, or mildew buildup on your evaporator coils, ice forming on coils, or a weaker air flow than normal
  • Signs of moldy ducts include visible mold growth inside of ducts
  • Signs of a clogged condensate drain include water leakage around the indoor unit and random A/C shut offs

If you experience any of the above issues, it is important that you do not try to fix the issue yourself. Because some disassembly may be required, it is best that your unit be assessed and treated by a licensed professional, such as General Air.

What if my Air Conditioner smells like rotten eggs?

If your Air Conditioner smells like a rotten egg then it is probably due to a dead animal in your ducts. Other signs include sounds of “scurrying” pests prior to the smell and visible pet droppings inside the ducts. If you have reason to believe that you have a pest problem, contact your local pest control to locate and remove the problem animals.

If you believe you are having a problem with your HVAC system, General Air is fully equipped to provide accurate assessments and recommendations, with full-service technicians to meet your repair or replacement needs. It is important to get your unit checked as soon as you notice a problem, so do not hesitate to contact General Air to get your heating and air systems operating smoothly again in no time.