When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to serious 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 could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At B & G HVAC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Marshalltown.
What does a particular smell billowing out of your air conditioning mean? Here are several typical air conditioner aromas 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 in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely reason for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled 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 correct 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 exchange the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells like rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak 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 ventilate the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from B & G HVAC can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential 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 favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged 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 think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
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 produces an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped 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 solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. One other possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech 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 diagnose 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 wanting to upgrade, B & G HVAC can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Marshalltown.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is 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 prevent injury or damage to your residence.
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, contact the cooling professionals at B & G HVAC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Marshalltown!
