When your air conditioner starts putting out unusual or unappealing smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to serious damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Kearney.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner smells and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct 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 provide good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is extraordinarily 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 right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink 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 choked with 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system 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 malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated previously, 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When 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 promotes 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 plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught in 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 fix 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 prevent the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled specialist 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 diagnose 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 wanting to upgrade, Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Kearney.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause 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 down your air conditioning system immediately 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 house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning. We have plenty 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 Kearney!