When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, 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 air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful situation, including a natural gas leak.
At House of Heating Incorporated, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, there’s a good chance our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Marshfield.
What does a specific odor wafting from your AC mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential reason for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix 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 exchange the air filter regularly to promote good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks 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 distinctive 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 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 ventilate 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 air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from House of Heating Incorporated can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another potential cause of the stink 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 accumulate 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 unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be 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 this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. When 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 AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that promotes 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for 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 is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. A second possible cause of the smell may 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 essential to have a skilled mechanic examine 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 diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, House of Heating Incorporated can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Marshfield.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of 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.
Another possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to turn 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 protect against injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at House of Heating Incorporated
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at House of Heating Incorporated. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Marshfield!