When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or funky odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Superior Air Repair, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Bryan.
What does a particular smell wafting from your air conditioning mean? Here are several typical air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this unpleasant situation, 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 change the air filter regularly to promote good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit reeks of rotten eggs, it might be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct 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 extraordinarily 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Superior Air Repair can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could 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. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and needs immediate attention. Should you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, get everyone out of the building and contact your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. A second potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled specialist look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Superior Air Repair can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Bryan.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware 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 issue, 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 avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Superior Air Repair
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at Superior Air Repair. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Bryan!
