When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or gross aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc., we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, there's a good chance our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Hodgenville.
What does a particular smell wafting coming from your cooling system mean? Here are a few common air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential cause of an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this dilemma, 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 change the air filter routinely to promote good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment 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 recognizable 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 very 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, 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 cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist 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 scent of urine could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and calls for immediate attention. When 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 contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that can be 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 trapped 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 solve the issue, it's important to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled mechanic 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Hodgenville.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to turn off your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling specialists at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Hodgenville!
