Central air conditioner in a new home smells when

by andrea S
(austin, tx)

February 25, 2011


When we first use our central AC in our new home it smells like mold. After we use the ac unit for several days the smell eventually goes away. Our house is 3 yrs old and it has always had this smell.

Our house was finished in Feb and that year when we started using our AC it had this moldy smell. They checked our ducts and said there was no leaking, but not sure how competent they were since it was under warranty still.

Again, this season we are just now using our central ac unit and it smells like mildew. Is there something we need to clean or check?

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Apr 13, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Metallic smell NEW
by: Anonymous

I also have a rheem and a terrible metallic smell. Giving me a headache and insomnia. When they come over to check it they say they smell nothing. So apparently my husband and I are crazy plus everyone on here who smells it.
Mar 20, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		New Rudd Ac NEW
by: Anonymous

We have a new Rudd/Rheem AC and it smells horrible. It has a sweet metallic smell. It makes me sick. The company doesn’t tell us anything. I am worried about my health.
Feb 19, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		bad odor, dirty sock or mildew smell NEW
by: Matt

I have the same issue as the original post in this thread. We bought our house in 2011. We purchased it when the A/C was already in use, so we didn't notice the smell until Spring of 2012. Every year, the first time I turn the A/C on after it's been off for months (maybe a month in texas) during the winter, the A/C produces a horrible smell that either reminds me of mildew or dirty socks. The whole house is consumed with this smell. We had the warranty people come out and they sent out an A/C professional. No one could find the issue, yet each year, it happens. The drain line is not clogged, although, I did notice it was not angled correctly so I just moved it down so it should drain properly now. The A/C guy that came out said everything was clean, even the coils, but he could smell it coming from the open end of the primary drain line. I've poured bleach down it like they suggested, but it still smells. The original post was from 2011, did anyone get a resolution to the cause?
Oct 03, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Air conditioners NEW
by: Anonymous

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Sep 23, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		New Air Conditioner smells like a dead animal. NEW
by: Anonymous

My new home smells like a dead animal when I turn on the air. It is a Carrier unit. I'm told from the AC company that it is the coils and they have come out twice to clean them. It hasn't helped. Am I breathing in anything dangerous? What else can be done?
May 22, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Central air conditioner - package unit - smells NEW
by: Anonymous

May 22,2014. Central Air Conditioner smells - metallic sweet - smell
A Rheem unit 3.5 tons 16 seer 2 months old - package unit - run for 2 months - it smells from the very first moment that they tested. Until today we have no answer and unable to move into our home in the Miami - Fort Lauderdale area.
Is there anyone who had this type of problem in their home found any solution?
We are in a great need of help. Please help us.
Thank you!
PS we also have a new Duct work done by the same contractor - a well known company in the area.
Apr 12, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Central Air Conditioner (new unit) smells burnig metal NEW
by: Anonymous

04/12/14 NEW RHEEM 3.5 TON 16 SEER package unit that seats outside on a slat smells from first tested. We had new Duct work and new A/C unit installed by the same very well known company only 3 weeks ago. We want to know if any one has had got the solution to this BIG problem that too many people are having. I know that we have the DSS but we need a SOLUTION. Why as as consumers has to pay the price after paying big $$$ for a unit and a Duct work?.
Please help. Write to: nellyflusa@yahoo.com
Thank you ! Thank you!
Apr 12, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		New A/C central Air Contioner smell metal burning NEW
by: Anonymous

03/22/14 - RHEEM model RQRM-A42JK000 - 3.5 tons 16 seers - stinks to the heavens!. We are out of our home and the contractor is not taking any responsibility. This unit was installed 3 weeks ago on 03/22/14. We live in Miami-Dade (florida) area. We also had a new Duct work done by the same contractor. METAL burning smells. We run it on fan for a week with windows open; on cool with windows closed, on cool w/ windows open with fans on, w/ fans off - nothing helps. Worst if door/windows closed. Making the family sick (light headache/nauseaus/dizziness. We need help ! Please write to nellyflusa@yahoo.com
Thank you!
Apr 12, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		New Central Air Conditioner New Unit Smells NEW
by: Grace

03/22/14 - RHEEM model RQRM-A42JK000 - 3.5 tons 16 seers - stinks to the heavens!. We are out of our home and the contractor is not taking any responsibility. This unit was installed 3 weeks ago on 03/22/14. We live in Miami-Dade (florida) area. We also had a new Duct work done by the same contractor. METAL burning smells. We run it on fan for a week with windows open; on cool with windows closed, on cool w/ windows open with fans on, w/ fans off - nothing helps. Worst if door/windows closed. Making the family sick (light headache/nauseaus/dizziness. We need help ! Please write to nellyflusa@yahoo.com
Thank you!
Apr 05, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rheem 3.5 ton 16 seer central package unit smells burning metal NEW
by: Johanna

03/18/14 a New Central package unit Rheem 3.5 tons 16 seer was installed. Also brand new Duct work was done on the day before. The unit was tested Saturday 3/22/14 and the smell came in the same day. It has been there now for 3 weeks. We run the unit with windows cracked for hours; with windows open for hours; we run it on fan w/ windows cracked for hours also. Nothing helps. The Contractor is a big company in business for years in the area of Miami-Fort Lauderdale and is not taking responsibility at all. They said is not the unit or the duct work but without checking in. However, the owner of the company came out and smell it but cannot tell what smells like. He agreed to take the unit out. But 3 days later he changed his mind. Is there anyone that can help us?. We as consumers shall have rights....Anyone, any company or organization at all will be able to help us?. Some one out there is trying to destroyed more the economic of this great country....Please reply soon. Thank you!
Apr 05, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rheem 3.5 ton 16 seer central package unit smells burning metal NEW
by: Johanna

03/18/14 a New Central package unit Rheem 3.5 tons 16 seer was installed. Also brand new Duct work was done on the day before. The unit was tested Saturday 3/22/14 and the smell came in the same day. It has been there now for 3 weeks. We run the unit with windows cracked for hours; with windows open for hours; we run it on fan w/ windows cracked for hours also. Nothing helps. The Contractor is a big company in business for years in the area of Miami-Fort Lauderdale and is not taking responsibility at all. They said is not the unit or the duct work but without checking in. However, the owner of the company came out and smell it but cannot tell what smells like. He agreed to take the unit out. But 3 days later he changed his mind. Is there anyone that can help us?. We as consumers shall have rights....Anyone, any company or organization at all will be able to help us?. Some one out there is trying to destroyed more the economic of this great country....Please reply soon. Thank you!
Mar 22, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER METTALIC SMELL NEW
by: Anonymous

CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER METTALIC ODOR:03/21/14 I just had a new plenum (ductwork) installed in my home of 28 years and the new Rheem A/C unit is on the slab outside of our home - not tested yet and the metallic odor or chemical like smell is in the entire house. I am in a panic reading about all these problems. I believed it has to do with the machine itself and absolutely nothing to do with the house or even the ductwork. We as consumers needs to TAKE ACTION. We have to get the Better Business Bureau involved or any other consumer agency involved.
After paying big money for a job - now our health and our home IS AT RISK. I am NOT sure what I am going to do with the new A/C unit - I live in South Florida where we need Airconditioning all year around, but here the problem started before the machine was tested. Any ideas?. Please help.
ANY COMMENTS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Apr 14, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		A/C DUCT bad smell, odor like METAL? NEW
by: Anonymous

I have a weird smell in only one room after a new duct was installed. It smells like metal. Can't quite described the odor but its not normal and its only in that room. Any ideas what could cause this smell? It cannot be mold since the duct is brand new.
Apr 14, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		A/C DUCT bad smell, odor like METAL? NEW
by: Anonymous

I have a weird smell in only one room after a new duct was installed. It smells like metal. Can't quite described the odor but its not normal and its only in that room. Any ideas what could cause this smell? It cannot be mold since the duct is brand new.
Jan 13, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		smelly ac NEW
by: Anonymous

I have same issue when changing from heat to cool air. It goes away after few days. i
I was told this is caused by recycled material that amana used to make the coils. idk technically why it does this but when they come to spray disinfectant or enzymes on the coils it temporarily fixes the problem. So I think we are breathing in some toxic moldy stuff. I am not happy since this is coming from a new high efficiency ac unit that I just had installed
Jan 13, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		smelly ac NEW
by: Anonymous

I have same issue when changing from heat to cool air. It goes away after few days. i
I was told this is caused by recycled material that amana used to make the coils. idk technically why it does this but when they come to spray disinfectant or enzymes on the coils it temporarily fixes the problem. So I think we are breathing in some toxic moldy stuff. I am not happy since this is coming from a new high efficiency ac unit that I just had installed
Apr 11, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		mildew smell from central
by: Emily and Jason

Jason and I recently moved into an apartment on the second and top floor. The buildings were built in the 90's, not sure if this has anything to do with the continuous mildewy smell coming from the vents!

I am just about 8 months pregnant so this is especially worrisome considering my newborn will be exposed to any potential mold. I must use the AC considering I live in Phoenix AZ.

In about 2 months my baby will be here and the temperature will be well into the 100's! How should I inform my landlord about this problem with a sense of urgency and obligation? Are the managers obligated to do something about this under the law?

Also, I'm unsure whether or not all four of the apartments in our building are somehow connected through the central air. I know the water is. I'm very concerned about the safety of my family. Thank you
Nov 14, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		central air smell
by: Anonymous

called the builder,new home.a/c guy called and said he knew what it is.the coil had mildew from oil on unit.he cleaned it and it is much better
Nov 12, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same Problem Windermere,Fl
by: Anonymous

We have the same problem. Our home was new when we purchased it and its been a living nightmare. We have had several people out and ended up paying a industrial hygenist which we found out did not detect the problem later on. I need someone who has a more forensic approach. At this point if I had someone come out and look at my coils and told me to spray them down with Lysol I might explode. Need Help Please!! Please reply to heatherhudd@embarqmail.com
May 15, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		WE HAVE ODOR ALSO
by: Susan A.

I had this odor problem last year when they came to get me going for the summer months. The guy had everthing apart looking for a dead animal, then he cleaned the coil. He did not remove the coil to take outside to clean as recommended.
He actually told me to just spray some air freshener in front of the returns. Nothing was found, and the odor stopped after continual use.
Now I just turned it on for this season and the same thing is happening. We are so frustrated with this odor. I change my air filters constantly with the furnace and the A/C. We even do it more often with the A/C
Apr 30, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		coil
by: Anonymous

Its your evaporator coil moldy. Need to take coil out and clean with microbial spray then put special mold away tablets in pan. Then for ultimate assurance add a uv light to a coil.
Mar 05, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Smells
by: Chester

I can't add to my original suggestions. All I can say at this point is to repeat my original advice. The mildew smell may be mold, so don't put off getting this fixed for your families health sake.

Call a qualified home inspector to check the system as well as having a licensed HVAC professional do a thorough check on your system.
Mar 04, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		again
by: house owner

And the whole house smells not just one room or area. It smells very strong and smells like mildew.
Mar 04, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Response
by: House Owner

Thanks much for the replies so far to my problem. No, our ducts are not in our slab nor is the air handler on a slab but is in our attic. We have had the ducts checked but by the builder so we probably need to have someone back out to check it. We were told we needed to clean something out every year to get rid of the smell?
Feb 26, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Musty Odor
by: Chester

Need a little more information

Noting that the home is in Austin Texas, and many homes in that area are built on slabs and do not have basements one of following could be the problem.

Are your supply or return ducts under a concrete floor? If this is so you may have a water problem in the ductwork. I don’t mean standing water (although this can happen) I am simply talking about dampness. After operating for a while the duct would dry out and the odor would have dissipated.

If you don’t have duct work under a concrete floor, is your furnace or air handler sitting directly on concrete? If this is so dampness in the concrete itself may be the problem.

There could be some foreign materials left in the ductwork during construction.

There is a possibility that you have a leak in the return air ductwork that is pulling in foul air that is from a source not related to the heating and cooling equipment.

Call a qualified home inspector to check the system as well as having a licensed HVAC professional do a thorough check on your system.
Feb 25, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Central Ac Smell
by: Dadan

If it had always smell form the beginning, it couldn’t be foreign material buildup with the central ac unit or the pan and the drip. The technician didn’t find any leak with the evaporator coil. It possible the evaporator coil, itself is producing these smell.

Does it smells in specific location or in the entire house? Does this smell only occur when you turn on the central air conditioning system? Or does it smells when you turn just the Fan On?

Dadan

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