When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or gross aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Savage.
What does a particular smell billowing from your AC mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this issue, 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 change the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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, which 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 allow gas to escape the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. 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 moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce 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 caught 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 AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.
Your AC 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 distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, it could be due to 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 disgusting odor that is often 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 caught within the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Savage.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause 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 it similar to 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 right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling experts at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Savage!
