Why Is My New Air Conditioner Producing Odor? (2024)


Your new air conditioner may scent for a wide range of causes — the commonest causes are mildew, mildew, refrigerant leaks, and electrical shortages/points. Smells brought on by different sources, like sewer strains or gasoline leaks, can flow into by way of your AC unit and make you assume it’s an HVAC problem.

Step one to eradicating the odor is figuring out the kind of scent and discovering its supply. Relying on the place it’s coming from, you possibly can both clear or repair it your self or rent knowledgeable mildew remediation firm or HVAC technician to repair and clear it.

Maintain studying to search out out what may very well be inflicting the scent coming out of your air conditioner.


When Ought to A Unhealthy Scent Produce By Your New Air Conditioner Concern You? 

New air conditioners typically have humorous smells. So, how are you aware when an odor coming out of your AC ought to concern you? Listed below are a few of the commonest causes for a wierd scent while you flip in your new air conditioner. 

Your Air Conditioner Smells Like A Soiled Sock

In case your air conditioner smells like soiled socks, it may very well be brought on by fungus and micro organism in your evaporator coils or in your ductwork. The scent might also be accompanied by signs which can be known as “air conditioner illness.” 

Whatever the age of your unit, in the event you discover any of the signs beneath, it might be time to take motion: 

  • Dizziness
  • Complications
  • Dry Pores and skin
  • Respiratory Sickness
  • Excessive Blood Stress
  • Sore Throat
  • Chest Ache
  • Problem Respiration

The identical micro organism that causes the foul sock scent causes air conditioner illness. So, it’s best to name knowledgeable HVAC restore firm to evaluate the issue.

Did You Know

In case you have not had a central air conditioner for some time, there’s a chance that one of many parts in your system is moldy. On account of extreme humidity in a house with out air-con, mildew and mildew can develop shortly.

A Moldy Scent Or Musty Scent

In case you have not had a central air conditioner for some time, there’s a chance that one of many parts in your system is moldy. On account of extreme humidity in a house with out air-con, mildew and mildew can develop shortly.

It’s possible you’ll discover mildew or mildew within the air ducts, too. When the air ducts turn out to be full of unhealthy mildew and mildew, it could actually come out while you flip in your new unit.  

So, in the event you assume you assume your unit is moldy, you want to tackle it promptly. Cleansing your unit could resolve the difficulty, however you may additionally want the help of knowledgeable HVAC cleansing service. HVAC cleaners have particular gear that may attain deep inside your ductwork for an intensive cleansing.

A Fishy Scent

Wiring points could cause a wierd fishy scent. It’s a mildly offensive scent so which will go unnoticed at first. 

In the event you scent one thing like this, it’s best to shut the unit off and name an electrician or HVAC restore contractor. In case you are operating a conveyable or window unit, they pull a number of energy, and while you depart them operating repeatedly, the warmth can soften the wiring, circuit boards, and shops.

Burning or melting wiring causes the scent, and in the event you stay in an older residence, your electrical system could not be capable of energy your new system. 

Typically, air-con restore professionals miss wiring issues, as they don’t seem to be skilled electricians. So, if an air conditioner restore technician tells you there’s nothing fallacious along with your air conditioner, it is perhaps time to name an electrician. 

If there are any electrical parts that have to be changed. You must also be aware while you plug and unplug a conveyable air conditioner or window unit. 

In the event you trigger the outlet to loosen, the wires contained in the wall can contact. This contact causes them to spark, which may brief your machine or trigger a home hearth. Don’t be stunned in case your HVAC technician tells you that you just want an electrician. 

A Burning Scent

In the event you scent a burning odor, additionally it is a good suggestion to have your air conditioner checked by knowledgeable. Nonetheless, generally, new methods do have a humorous scent. 

It’s not unusual for heaters to offer off a burning scent while you use them for the primary time every year. That is simply oil and mud being burnt off on the burner. In the event you scent a burning scent, you might need the thermostat set to warmth as a substitute of cool. 

There may be {an electrical} downside, like an overheating fan motor. Anytime you scent one thing burning, you want to determine the supply. If your property is on hearth, go outdoors and name the fireplace division. 

Soiled Ductwork

Your property’s ductwork is a system of vents, an evaporator coil, a condenser coil, a condensate pan, a drain line, an air handler, and several other different important parts that make up your central air-con system. If any of these parts are soiled, it may trigger the system to supply an disagreeable scent. 

Many householders use the identical ductwork after they buy a brand new air-con unit. In case you have mud, particles, micro organism, and fungus rising in your air ducts, your air conditioner could scent humorous. 

A useless animal that has fallen into an air duct may trigger a horrible odor to return out of your vents. Fortunately, there are many certified skilled duct cleansing companies that may assist.

Sewage Scent

A sewer scent may very well be brought on by a sewer line problem. Usually, a sewer-like scent just isn’t related to air-con methods. That mentioned, sewage smells can get pulled into your HVAC system and flow into all through your property, which can lead you to assume it’s an HVAC problem.

Typically, it’s not, and a plumber could be the proper individual to name in the event you discover a sewage scent after turning your air conditioner on.

If you wish to get HVAC methods guarantee safety, we advocate you select from a trusted residence guarantee firm. 


What Causes ‘Soiled Sock Syndrome’ and ‘Air Conditioner Illness’?

In case your air conditioner has not been used for some time, fungus and micro organism can develop within the indoor air handler, air filter, air ducts, and different components of your air conditioner. The buildup of micro organism creates a musty scent, and it could actually even trigger you to turn out to be bodily sick. 

HVAC contractors cite this as the commonest purpose for a foul scent coming out of your air conditioner. Additionally it is one of the regarding as a result of even after you’ve your air conditioner professionally cleaned, you will have signs for a while. 

Your indoor air high quality is essential since you spend nearly all of your time in your house. If the standard of the air in your house is unhealthy, it could actually result in allergy signs like runny nostril, congestion, eye irritation, and different respiratory situations. Poor indoor air high quality may also make you extra vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections.

When your physique is continually preventing off an an infection, it’s in a weak state. Don’t lose sleep and let your self continually really feel sick and run down — in case your air conditioner smells unhealthy, take it significantly and repair it. 

For extra data on ‘soiled sock syndrome,’ check out this video a couple of couple who suffered from the situation.


What Ought to You Do If Your New Air Conditioner Is Producing An Odor? 

Any odor coming out of your air conditioner that’s out of the atypical is a sign that one thing just isn’t proper. As a result of complicated nature of HVAC methods, pinpointing the precise supply of the scent may not be simple. 

You need to attain out to the HVAC service firm that put in your new air conditioner. They’re conscious of essentially the most and least widespread causes for smells produced by air conditioners. You may additionally select considered one of our picks for the greatest HVAC firms within the trade.

By having common tune-ups in your HVAC system, you possibly can keep away from many odors earlier than they will have an effect on your well being or air-con system negatively.

Often Requested Questions

What causes a chemical scent from a brand new air conditioner?

A chemical scent in a brand new air conditioner may be from a refrigerant leak. If it persists, flip off your AC unit and name an HVAC firm to examine the system.


How can I eliminate the plastic scent from my new AC?

Some air-con items could have a “plastic” scent from off-gassing of recent plastic items. On this case, simply wait it out. The scent often goes away in a number of days to some weeks.


Can I clear my ductwork myself?

You possibly can attempt to clear your ductwork your self, however you received’t do practically nearly as good of a job as a licensed duct cleansing firm. They’ve particular instruments and probes with cameras that may attain deep into your ductwork for a full cleansing.


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Reviewed for accuracy, price information, trade greatest practices, and skilled recommendation by Jonathon Jachura.

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