When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a dangerous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning, 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 skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Pflugerville.
What does a specific odor wafting out of your cooling system mean? Here are some typical air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this issue, 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 routinely to provide good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it may 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 added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be extraordinarily dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC 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 stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely 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 can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning 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 distinct odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to 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 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 correct the issue, it's often necessary 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 correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing 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 ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Pflugerville.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of 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 something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to turn off 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Pflugerville!
