When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or funky aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to serious damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Air Service Co., we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Muldrow.
What does a certain smell billowing out of your AC mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this issue, it's important to have a professional 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 provide good air quality and prevent the formation 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 recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, that is 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 ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a clogged 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 Air Service Co. can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working 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 stinks like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink 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 stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 distinct odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught 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 solve the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's essential 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 underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Air Service Co. can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Muldrow.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described 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 hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Air Service Co.
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling experts at Air Service Co.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Muldrow!
