When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At James Heating & A/C, Inc, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Lexington.
What does a particular smell coming out of your AC mean? Here are some common air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this dilemma, it’s important to have a professional 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 provide good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it may be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, 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 may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from James Heating & A/C, Inc can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a buildup 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 produce 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 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 create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC 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 bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile 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 recognizable odor, 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 stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs immediate attention. Should 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When your AC smell like fish, it could be due to 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 strong odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck in the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, James Heating & A/C, Inc can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Lexington.
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 some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible reason for the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at James Heating & A/C, Inc
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling experts at James Heating & A/C, Inc. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Lexington!
