Why Does Your AC Smell When You Turn It On After Winter?

Ah, spring! It is a time for warmer temperatures, sunnier days, and stinky central air conditioning. 

Bringing a dormant central air conditioner (AC) back to life after a long winter comes with an odorous surprise for some Colorado homeowners. It is not unusual for central air conditioning to emit odd smells when powered on in the spring. 

If it happens to you, how do you handle the assault on your nose? Are you searching, “Why does my AC smell?” Do you open windows, hoping the sweet fragrance of spring lilacs will overcome the sour air? Maybe you wear nose plugs until your AC normalizes? 

Maintenance Combats Odor

A pre-season checkup is a better strategy for quickly evicting those troubling odors. Maintenance can ensure your air conditioner will perform efficiently throughout the cooling season and without nasty smells. 

Through our Carrier Colorado online directory, you can find a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer to assist with your heating and cooling needs. From the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope and areas in between, Colorado homeowners trust Carrier dealers to maintain, repair, and upgrade their comfort systems.

Your key to cracking the smelly springtime air conditioner mystery starts with scheduling a tune-up with a skilled Carrier technician. 

A Tune-Up Clears Away Dust

As winter settled in last year, dust, dirt, and debris, found their way into your air handler. 

When you turn your air conditioner on for the first time in the spring, the air circulating through your air handler and ductwork can stir up the particles and other contaminants, releasing an unpleasant, dusty smell.

In addition to smelling bad, the particles circulating through indoor air can aggravate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. 

You can avoid the stinky odor by maintaining your air conditioner before you turn it on each spring. A significant portion of any tune-up is cleaning system components.

Air conditioning maintenance typically includes inspecting for leaks, replacing worn parts, lubricating components, cleaning indoor and outdoor units, and testing temperatures, system pressure, and electrical connections. 

If you ran a furnace during the fall and winter, your ductwork got a complete workout for months, but that does not mean they are clean. They could contribute to that dusty springtime smell, especially If you neglected your fall furnace tune-up.

There is also a good chance dust and dirt have accumulated inside your ductwork, especially if you have never cleaned the system. Before turning your cooling system on, ask your local Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer for an air duct assessment. It may need cleaning!

Your AC Smells Moldy

Colorado’s climate is drier than many humid parts of the country, but that does not prevent moisture from building up inside air conditioning units.

When moisture accumulates in the coils, ducts, or drip pan, it creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew. 

You do not want mold growing in your home, even in a small space, like an AC drip pan. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold produces allergens and irritants that can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs.

You can prevent mold growth by inspecting your air conditioning system for standing water. Ensure it drains properly and clean the condensate drain according to manufacturer instructions. 

If the smell persists, contact one of the dealers in our Carrier Colorado directory for assistance.  Start by clicking our online link.

Dirty Air Filters

Air filters guard your system against particulate matter like pollen and dust. They need to be replaced when they are dirty. Your AC instruction manual typically offers advice on the type of filters you need and how often you should replace them. 

Dirty filters can quickly become clogged, emitting odors and restricting airflow, which causes your unit to work harder. Inspect your air filter before starting your AC for the first time in the spring. Replace it if it appears dirty or clogged, and especially if it feels moist.

A clean filter improves air quality and can eliminate musty smells.

Dirty Coils

If your air conditioner gives off a smoky, singed smell when you first start it, heat from internal components may be burning off the dust that has settled during months of inactivity. Although the odor likely will fade, you can prevent it by cleaning your system’s coils and other components.

Ask your Carrier technician to include coil cleaning during your system’s spring maintenance. 

Refrigerant Leaks

If you notice a sweet or chemical odor when you start your AC, it could be leaking refrigerant. Your AC can’t run without refrigerant, which cools the air that passes over your evaporator coil on its way to the air ducts. 

Insufficient refrigerant leads to an inefficient cooling system and higher energy bills. If you smell a suspected refrigerant leak, call one of our [company-name] directory members to repair and recharge your system. 

Overheating AC

When you first turn on the system, the motor or other electrical components may overheat and emit a burning odor, indicating damage or wear. This could indicate a serious problem that could become a fire hazard. 

Shut the system off and contact a Carrier dealer for an assessment and repairs. 

Get Your AC in Top Shape Today!

Avoid unpleasant AC odors and ensure your Colorado, home stays fresh all summer by scheduling maintenance before the cooling season begins. You can find a trusted Carrier dealer through our Carrier Colorado online directory. Start by clicking our online link.