When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or funky aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding 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 what you're smelling, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a dangerous situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Pratt Brothers, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, there's a good chance our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Jefferson.
What does a specific odor wafting from your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning 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 create an environment that is beneficial to the development 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 could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in poor 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 exchange the air filter regularly to ensure good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it could be the result of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive 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 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 immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Pratt Brothers can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like urine.
Another feasible cause of the smell 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 stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, 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 stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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 right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes 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 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 solve the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled specialist look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Pratt Brothers can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Jefferson.
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 scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to turn off your air conditioning system immediately 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.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Pratt Brothers
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Pratt Brothers. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Jefferson!