When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or funky aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Alliance.
What does a particular smell wafting out of your air conditioning mean? Here are some common air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely cause of the stench of dirty feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this dilemma, it's important to have an experienced specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It's also important to exchange the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it might be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a unique odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is extremely dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and calls for immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. A second possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Alliance.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it's important to shut down your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Alliance!