Menu
Available 24 Hours (815) 444-0979 Serving Rockford & More
Financing Options Available
On All Our Services with Credit Approval
Learn More

Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell Funny?

In Rockford, homeowners are used to the funny smell that often comes from their heating systems when they switch them on in the fall, but they don’t expect an unusual smell from the air conditioner, and for good reason. Air conditioners shouldn’t have much of an odor when running, because they don’t have dust to burn off like a furnace does. So, if you’re noticing an unusual smell from your air conditioner, it’s probably a sign of a problem. Axberg’s technicians want you to know what the smell could mean and how you can address it. Here are some common smells you may notice, and the causes behind them.

1. Musty Odor

If your air conditioner is making your home smell musty, it’s a sign that you have mold or mildew somewhere along the line. This often occurs when the condensation from the system isn’t draining properly and is allowed to build up inside the air conditioner. This encourages mold growth, and if you don’t address the mold quickly, the spores can spread to your ductwork and grow there as well. To check if this is the problem, try to determine if the smell is worse near the vents. If it is, have a professional mold company come and check.

2. Burning or Electric Smell

If you smell something burning or the smell of melting metal, you have an electrical issue somewhere in the system. It’s best to turn the system completely off and call the HVAC technician for emergency repair. Your air conditioner shouldn’t cause burning smells, and leaving it running could put you at risk for a fire. Axberg has electricians and HVAC professionals on hand, so we can help with this type of issue.

3. Sewage Smell

If your sewer system has a pipe that ruptures, and that pipe is near the ductwork or your air conditioner, some of the methane gas can leak into your ventilation system. This is a rare problem, but one that needs to be addressed immediately to avoid health hazards. Luckily Axberg can help, as we have both plumbers and HVAC technicians available 24/7.

4. Rotten Eggs

A rotten smell coming from the air conditioner usually means that there is something rotting in the system. This is typically an animal carcass from an infestation that you may not have known about. If you can locate the carcass, then dispose of it yourself as long as you use gloves and don’t touch the animal, but remember that one mouse in your home means you have more hiding that you can’t see. Contact a pest prevention company for an inspection and service.

Trust Axberg for All Air Conditioning Repair Needs

If you’re noticing one of these smells or another smell that you just can’t identify, you need to contact Axberg right away for service. Our experienced technicians will help you identify and repair the problem, so you can get back to enjoying your cool home free from any unwanted odors. Contact Axberg today to get started on tracking down and eliminating the smell.

Basic Program Benefits
  • No dispatch fee EVER ($79 per call).
  • No after-hours or holiday fees EVER ($95 per call)
  • Annual precision tune-ups on heating and cooling equipment
  • 24/7 availability
  • Exclusive discounts on service and repairs
  • Peace of mind
Axberg Reviews
Daughter bought an older house and needed some plumbing work in bathroom, Kevin did a great job. This is the second time we have used Black Diamond. A few months ago my wife blew a circuit breaker and ended up shutting off one side of the box trying to reset it. She did not realize her mistake and called BD for help. The young man checked the box and noticed her error right away. Rather than standing in my basement for an hour and charging me hundreds of dollars for nothing, he explained the problem to her and charged us the least amount for the service call that he could. This honesty is why we used them today and they proved themselves to be fair and knowledgeable with plumbing as well. When I need any kind of service they provide, I will be call without hesitation.
James - Loves Park, IL
Read More