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JUN - JUL 2025
Why does my aircon smell like fish?
Here’s a few common air-con related scents to help you solve that weird smell mystery.
Sometimes the first sign that something is wrong with your aircon is a weird smell.
Some smells mean there’s a serious fault, while others you might just have to wait out.
Here’s a list of common smells that lead to some common aircon problems.
We’d struggle to live without air-con in Australia.
Yep, we know, people did it in the past and they were FINE – albeit sweating like Cameron Bancroft with some sandpaper in his hand – and were unable to do anything because of the heat.
But today, air-con’s a must.
Amid that beautifully regulated temperature, things can go wrong, and sometimes, the first sign of that is a rather strange smell.
So, if you or your clients have any of these scents drifting around, you can now put your nose to the air, take a deep breath in and smartly announce, “I know just what the problem is”.
THE BURNING SMELL
If the unit’s not been used for a while the first half an hour or so of use could produce a burning smell, usually dust.
You know, dead skin particles. Being heated up.
But, if it goes on for longer, it’s probably a mechanical fault with the compressor or fan – or potentially a wiring issue.
ROTTEN EGGS
As someone who’s recently cracked a rotten egg, this (still suffering) writer can assure you that whatever you think is a rotten egg smell is about one per cent of the real thing.
Still, it’s a smell people think they know – and if you sniff that from an air-con unit there could be a gas leak somewhere in the house making its way through the system.
DEATH
You know that stench. Off – well – everything.
Unfortunately, it’s a common risk for everyone who lives anywhere that rodents and other animals can scurry, crawl and climb into roof cavities. And die. And rot. And that lovely smell gets pushed around your home and office. Wonderful.
CAR EXHAUST
If the air-con unit starts leaking fluids, you can sometimes get a car exhaust smell racing through your home. And, if Draxler (yep, really – voted one of the most ‘bogan Aussie names’ of 2021) next door isn’t busy revving his needlessly souped-up Ford, something’s amiss and needs urgent investigation.
FISH – OR URINE
If there’s a fishy – or urine-y – aroma coming from the air-con unit, then it’s likely to be overheated plastic in the electrical components.
Of course, that will need some investigation.
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