When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or unappealing odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a harmful scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Booneville Heating & Cooling, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Booneville.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are some common air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
Your AC 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 collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in 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 routinely to provide good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner 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 added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it could be due to a buildup 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 stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Booneville Heating & Cooling can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create 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 get hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and calls for immediate attention. If 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your AC 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 is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong 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 trapped in 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 fix the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential 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 hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Booneville Heating & Cooling can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Booneville.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut 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 protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Booneville Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Booneville Heating & Cooling. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Booneville!
