When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or funky odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful problem, like a natural gas leak.
At County Line Mechanical LLC, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Reinholds.
What does a certain smell wafting out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they may 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 unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential cause of the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this unpleasant situation, it's important to have a quality service tech 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 ensure good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it might be due to 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 ventilate 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 cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation 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 odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from County Line Mechanical LLC can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating 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 conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential 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 favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another potential cause of the stink 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 stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system 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 cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to phone a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner 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 distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs immediate attention. Should you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 strong 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 trapped inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's important to have a professional check out 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home's air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. One other possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, County Line Mechanical LLC can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Reinholds.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other 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 it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it's important to shut down your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at County Line Mechanical LLC
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at County Line Mechanical LLC. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Reinholds!