When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or funky aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem 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 a warning of a hazardous problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Air Alliance Team, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Ballwin and St. Charles.
What does a certain smell billowing out of your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve 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 change the air filter routinely to promote good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner 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 distinctive 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty 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.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Air Alliance Team can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
The Air Conditioning 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 be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and calls for immediate attention. Should 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When 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 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck inside the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. A second likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech examine 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 find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Air Alliance Team can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Ballwin and St. Charles.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, 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.
One other possible reason for the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 protect against injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Air Alliance Team
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Air Alliance Team. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Ballwin and St. Charles!