When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a dangerous scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At E.B. Air, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in East Bernard.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible reason for the stench of dirty feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this problem, it’s important to have a quality service tech 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 regularly to provide good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it may be the result of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is very dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to allow gas to escape the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from E.B. Air can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another possible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and needs immediate attention. If 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 right away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioner smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that is conducive to 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, E.B. Air can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in East Bernard.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at E.B. Air
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at E.B. Air. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in East Bernard!