When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or unappealing odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may 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 root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Western Mechanical, Inc., we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Cache Valley.
What does a specific odor coming coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are several typical air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this issue, 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 exchange the air filter on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of 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 because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 air out the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Western Mechanical, Inc. can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system 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 HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC 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 elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC 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 recognizable odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires 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 contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When 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 causes an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong 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 caught in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. One other 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 mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Western Mechanical, Inc. can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Cache Valley.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut down 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 protect against injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Western Mechanical, Inc.
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Western Mechanical, Inc.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Cache Valley!