When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner 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. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a harmful situation, like a natural gas leak.
At Pepper AC & Heat, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Justin.
What does a certain smell coming out of your AC mean? Here are several common air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to 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 replace the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it might be the result of 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 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a dirty 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 Pepper AC & Heat can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like 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 correctly, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem 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 root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to contact 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 distinctive smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught 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 examine and clean your cooling system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Why 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 dirty air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic 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 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 looking to upgrade, Pepper AC & Heat can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Justin.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Pepper AC & Heat
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling experts at Pepper AC & Heat. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Justin!
