When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc., we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Hodgenville.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner smells and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this problem, 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 change the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of rotten eggs, it may be because of 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 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning 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 cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another possible 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 effectively, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to contact 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 your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said 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, leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 foul odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist look at 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 wanting to upgrade, Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Hodgenville.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be due to 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.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles 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 immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Hodgenville!
