When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may 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. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in South Beloit and Belvidere.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your cooling system mean? Here are several typical air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct this unpleasant situation, 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 ensure good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of rotten eggs, it might be caused by 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, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is 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 right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential 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 moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to 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 produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and calls for immediate attention. Should 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 as soon as possible.
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 creates an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes 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 stuck in the air conditioning system. This often is possible 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 examine and clean your cooling system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate 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 replacing 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, Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in South Beloit and Belvidere.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be problems 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 think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to shut off your air conditioning system immediately 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 residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling experts at Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We have lots 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 South Beloit and Belvidere!
