When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or funky odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe problem, 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 cooling system, you can bet that 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 Derby.
What does a specific odor wafting from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner odors and what they might 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 system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct 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 exchange the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a unique 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 ventilate the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it may be due to a buildup 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 stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible 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 stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements 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 unit. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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 as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that promotes 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for 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 gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist look at 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 diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Derby.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Derby!