When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or gross aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to further 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 might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a harmful problem, like a natural gas leak.
At B & G HVAC, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Marshalltown.
What does a specific odor wafting coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are several common air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix this unpleasant situation, 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to provide good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC 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 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 very 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from B & G HVAC can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment 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 in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like 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 effectively, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. 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 air conditioner, it’s important 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 the surrounding area. 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 to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. Should you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioner 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 fosters 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck within the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 check out and clean your air conditioning system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be 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 resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled specialist 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 find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, B & G HVAC can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Marshalltown.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where 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 cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is 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 hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at B & G HVAC
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling specialists at B & G HVAC. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Marshalltown!
