When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Clean Air HVAC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Pacheco.
What does a particular smell wafting from your air conditioning mean? Here are some typical air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another potential explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this unpleasant situation, 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 on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it might be due to 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 ventilate the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
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 forms inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Clean Air HVAC can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine 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 clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there's 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 foul odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's important to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled tech look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and exchanging 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, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Clean Air HVAC can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Pacheco.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where 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 source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like 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 immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Clean Air HVAC
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Clean Air HVAC. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Pacheco!
