When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or gross odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At J & J Air Conditioning, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Eastland.
What does a certain smell billowing out of your AC mean? Here are several common air conditioner aromas and what they could 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 establish an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely cause of an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct 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 replace the air filter routinely to promote good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it might be the result 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 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from J & J Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations 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 when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a blocked 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 is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning 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 aroma, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If 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 is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is often 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 stuck in the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. A second possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and replacing of 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, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, J & J Air Conditioning can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Eastland.
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. 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 something wrong with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like 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 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.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at J & J Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling professionals at J & J Air Conditioning. 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 weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Eastland!
