When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or gross aromas, 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 conditioner can lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified 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 specific odor billowing from your cooling system mean? Here are several typical air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential cause of the stench of dirty feet 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 poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this unpleasant situation, 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 regularly 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 reeks of rotten eggs, it may 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 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 air out the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate 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 soiled air filter. If 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 Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios 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 likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential cause of the stink could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell similar to 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.
My Air Conditioner 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 distinct 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 hazardous 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Why 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 fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is sometimes 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 caught within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons a home's air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. One other potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after 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 mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, skilled 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. If 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 cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to turn off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Derby!