There’s nothing quite as unpleasant as a foul odor oozing out of the vents when your AC kicks on. There are several foul smells that can come from your unit. Some of these odors can be easily fixed as well as others that can be dangerous and will need immediate attention. It is important that you are aware of these odors so that you can work quickly to solve them should they arise. New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing is here to not only talk about foul AC odors but to also talk about what needs to be done to fix them.

Can a Smelly Air Conditioner Make You Sick?

There are a few odors that can be dangerous and should be handled by professionals.
– Sewage Smell from AC: Sometimes sewer leaks can be serious enough that raw sewage seeps into your ductwork. This can lead to foul smells that can be dangerous as methane is highly flammable. Since it would take a small spark to ignite, you need to turn off your system right away when you smell this odor.
– AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs: Natural gas is an odorless gas that has an additive that smells sulfurous. Natural gas leaks are a huge danger to anyone in the home. You need to turn off your system right away and evacuate the house until emergency professionals clear it.
– AC Burning Odor: Electrical issues can often leave a burning smell. This is extremely dangerous as it could easily lead to an electrical fire. Turn off your system until it is resolved.

Less Dangerous AC Odors

Some odors aren’t nearly as dangerous as the ones listed above.
– Musty Smell from Air Conditioner: When you have drainage issues, it can lead to mold and mildew growth with can smell musty. As your unit works to remove humidity from the air, that water is then drained from unit in the condensate drain. Removing any clogs and replacing your air filter will solve the problem.
– AC Smells like Rotting Garbage: Sometimes, birds and small rodents can get trapped in your vents. If they die, it can lead to horrible rotting smells as they decompose. Removing the animal carcass will quickly solve this issue.
– Cigarette Smoke Smell from Air Conditioner: If there was ever a smoker in the house, there can be lingering odor in your ductwork. You can remove it with a deep cleaning of your system and ductwork.
– AC Smells Like Oil: If there is an oil leak anywhere in your system, you can start to smell it. If there is an issue with the oil burner that isn’t working properly, it can also be the cause of the problem.

Central Air Conditioning Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Bedford Hills, Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York

If you are struggling with strange or even foul odors coming from your AC system and vents, you can call on the professionals at New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to the problem. Our qualified technicians will get to the bottom of the problem so you are breathing fresh air again in no time. Call us today!