When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or funky odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of an unsafe situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Lanz Furnace and Fireplace, 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 skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Monroe.
What does a particular smell billowing coming from your cooling system mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
Your AC 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 accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this problem, 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner 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 because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of 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 may be due to a buildup 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 cause of the smell might 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.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Lanz Furnace and Fireplace can help avoid both of these problems, 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 scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another possible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem 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 stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and emit a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and needs immediate attention. If 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 call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes 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 create a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck in the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. A second possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If 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 tech look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging 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 mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Lanz Furnace and Fireplace can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Monroe.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of 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.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in 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 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 prevent injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Lanz Furnace and Fireplace
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling professionals at Lanz Furnace and Fireplace. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Monroe!
