When your air conditioner starts spewing weird 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 conditioner could lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of an unsafe situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Home Comfort Heating & Air, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Elk River.
What does a particular smell wafting out of your air conditioning mean? Here are several typical air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To solve 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 development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit smells like rotten eggs, it may be the result 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, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a collection 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 resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Home Comfort Heating & Air can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked 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.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce 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 trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning 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 distinct smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC 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 promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes 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 in 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 determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled specialist examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Home Comfort Heating & Air can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Elk River.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to turn 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 protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Home Comfort Heating & Air
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Home Comfort Heating & Air. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Elk River!
