When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or funky aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous situation, like a natural gas leak.
At James Heating & A/C, Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Lexington.
What does a particular smell billowing from your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To solve this problem, 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 change the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it may 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 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 air out the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a dirty 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.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from James Heating & A/C, Inc can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged 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 build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, 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 as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within 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 examine and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after 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 lingers after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, James Heating & A/C, Inc can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Lexington.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at James Heating & A/C, Inc
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at James Heating & A/C, Inc. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Lexington!
