When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or gross aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a harmful problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Scott Temperature, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, 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 Lawrence.
What does a specific odor wafting coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix this unpleasant situation, 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 regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment smells like rotten eggs, it may be the result of 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 added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Scott Temperature can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant scenarios 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 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 favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged 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 accumulate inside the unit. This can produce 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 issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting 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 can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. A second likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify 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, Scott Temperature can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Lawrence.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where 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 cause of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Scott Temperature
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling experts at Scott Temperature. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Lawrence!