When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or gross smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Edington Heating & Cooling Inc, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Troy.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they may 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 in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential reason for the stench of dirty feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this dilemma, 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning 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 distinctive 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 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When 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 Edington Heating & Cooling Inc can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. 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 scent of urine could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC 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 recognizable aroma, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires 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 phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning 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 causes an environment that promotes 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck within the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist 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 identify and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Edington Heating & Cooling Inc can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Troy.
My Air Conditioner 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 some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles 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 hazardous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Edington Heating & Cooling Inc
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling professionals at Edington Heating & Cooling Inc. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Troy!
