When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning 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 cause might 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 a hazardous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc., we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Hodgenville.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your AC mean? Here are several typical air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this dilemma, 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to promote 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 may be caused by a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct 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 extremely 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running 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 reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that resembles 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 effectively, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After some 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 root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC 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 an odor is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. Should 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 phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s 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 disgusting 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 in the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 check out and clean your cooling system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. A second potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial 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 needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Hodgenville.
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 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 elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to turn off 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 avoid injury or damage to your home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Hodgenville!
