If Your Air Conditioner Smells, Here's How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or unappealing aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on what you’re smelling, the root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a dangerous scenario, including a natural gas leak.

At Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Derby.

What does a particular smell wafting coming from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be due to 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 spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.

Another likely cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to 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 professional 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 on a regular basis to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning unit 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 distinctive 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 very dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.

Annual air conditioning maintenance from Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

One of the most undesirable situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.

If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.

Another possible cause of the stink could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your AC smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. Over 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 reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to call a professional right away.

Your AC Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. Should 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.

Your AC Smells Like Fish

Should your air conditioner smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.

To solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons an 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. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing 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 should be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Derby.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

One other possible cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.

Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Derby!