When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Ameri-Tec, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Narvon.
What does a particular smell billowing from your cooling system mean? Here are some typical air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this problem, 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 change the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it may be due to 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, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner 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 forms inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Ameri-Tec can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine 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 accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s 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 foul odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. Another possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Ameri-Tec can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Narvon.
My Air Conditioner 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 scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Ameri-Tec
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Ameri-Tec. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Narvon!