When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or funky smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system 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 culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Circleville.
What does a specific odor billowing out of your cooling system mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct 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 exchange the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it could be because of 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 a situation that 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 allow gas to escape the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a collection 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 stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible 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 wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to 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 correctly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning 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 smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and calls for 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 call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioner smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that is conducive to 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 plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside 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 solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. One other 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 inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging 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 mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Circleville.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible cause of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling specialists at Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Circleville!