When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or gross aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause 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 even indicative of a harmful scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Rescue Heating & Air, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Alice.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this problem, 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 routinely to ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it may be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Rescue Heating & Air can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible 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 effectively, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to call 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 distinct smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
Should 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 produces an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong 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 can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to identify 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 multiple reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic examine 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 diagnose 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 looking to upgrade, Rescue Heating & Air can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Alice.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in 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 turn off your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Rescue Heating & Air
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Rescue Heating & Air. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Alice!