When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or gross aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe situation, like a natural gas leak.
At Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Heflin.
What does a certain smell wafting from your AC mean? Here are some typical air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential reason for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To solve 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 exchange the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC 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 recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is because of a substance 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 air out the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Bain Heating & Air Conditioning can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible cause of the smell 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 collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC 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 promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that can be 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 inside the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix 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 appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. One other possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after 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 mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose 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, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Heflin.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be due to 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.
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 resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to shut 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 home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Bain Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling specialists at Bain Heating & Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Heflin!
