Nobody wants their home to smell funky. If you notice an odd smell every time you turn on your air conditioner, you may find yourself wondering why your house smells and how you can get rid of that scent. Air conditioners can blow a number of different and unpleasant scents into your home for a number of different reasons. Here are a few of the most common scents you may smell when running your air conditioner and how you can get rid of the smell. 

The Scent of Mildew or Mold

One of the most common scents that you may smell when your air conditioning unit kicks on is the scent of must, mildew, or mold. This scent can be caused a number of different ways. Moisture, humidity, or water that gets trapped anywhere within the air conditioning unit can cause this scent to be present. Additionally, mildew or mold that is growing on the air filter, the air ducts, or anywhere within the air conditioning unit can cause this scent. If this scent is present, your air filters should be replaced and your air conditioner and air ducts should be cleaned to remove moisture, mold, or mildew growth. 

Stinky Feet or Dirty Sock Scents

Another common scent that you may smell when your air conditioner starts running is the scent or dirty socks or stinky feet. This problem is so common, it even has a name; dirty sock syndrome. The most common reason why you smell this scent is because moisture builds up on your evaporator coils and has nowhere to go. Instead, it sits on the coils and then this smell is created. When your air conditioning unit undergoes an annual maintenance inspection, the coils are cleaned, preventing this scent. If you smell this scent, you will want to call in a professional to clean your coils. 

A Rotting or Trash Smell

The final scent that you may smell when you turn on your air conditioner is a rotting, decaying or trash-like scent. The most common reason for this scent is because a pest has died within your air conditioning unit or air ducts. Find the deceased pest and remove it. Consider having your air ducts or air conditioner cleaned to remove any remaining scents and ensure no more pests remain. 

If you begin to notice that your home smells funky each time your air conditioning unit kicks in, you know the problem is in some way related to the air conditioner or air ducts. If you are unable to determine why your air conditioners smells or eliminate the problem on your own, call in an air conditioning repair company. They can help you determine why the smell is present and how to remove it, eliminating the smell from your home. 

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