When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or funky odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning 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 sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Heflin.
What does a certain smell coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are several typical air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct this problem, it’s important to have a quality service tech 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 on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells like rotten eggs, it might be because of 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, 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 ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Bain Heating & Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these situations, 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 unpleasant things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to 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 plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts 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 stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell that reminds people of 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.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning 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 distinctive smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and needs immediate attention. When 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
When your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 check out 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 prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. A second potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled tech examine 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 diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, skilled 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. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or components 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 issue, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Bain Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Bain Heating & Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Heflin!
