When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a harmful problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Huntsville.
What does a certain smell billowing from your cooling system mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the spread 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 your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this unpleasant situation, 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 on a regular basis to provide good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it might be caused by 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 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 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 is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a accumulation 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 is like urine.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a plugged 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 generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts 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 that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be because of 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. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and needs immediate attention. When 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 right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioner smell like fish, it could be due to 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 foul odor that can be 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 stuck 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 correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled mechanic look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Huntsville.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, 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.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We have plenty 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 funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Huntsville!