When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or unappealing odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to serious damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Farnell Mechanical, Inc., we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Auburn and Opelika.
What does a specific odor coming from your cooling system mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this unpleasant situation, it's important to have an experienced specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It's also important to change the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it might be due to 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 very 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of 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 is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Farnell Mechanical, Inc. can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to 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 filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After some 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 reason for 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 get hot and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and contact 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 causes an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it's important to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled specialist inspect 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 find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Farnell Mechanical, Inc. can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Auburn and Opelika.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where 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 something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it's important to turn off 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 protect against injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Farnell Mechanical, Inc.
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling experts at Farnell Mechanical, Inc.. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Auburn and Opelika!