When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or funky smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to further 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. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At J & J Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Eastland.
What does a specific odor wafting from your air conditioning 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 might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible cause of an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this issue, 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 promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it could 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, which is because of a substance 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 ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it could 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 it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from J & J Air Conditioning can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios 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 potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with 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 conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires 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 call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioner smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after 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 specialist inspect 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 identify and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, J & J Air Conditioning can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Eastland.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by 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.
Another possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to shut down 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 protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at J & J Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling experts at J & J Air Conditioning. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Eastland!
