When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Air Temperature Control, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, you can bet that 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 Macon.
What does a certain smell coming out of your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential reason for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of 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 change the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of rotten eggs, it might be caused by 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, 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 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 cooling system smells like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Air Temperature Control can help protect against 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!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible cause of the scent of urine 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 accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like 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 some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. 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 think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent 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 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 call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If 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 creates an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong 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 caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. Another likely cause of the smell may 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 important to have a skilled mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Air Temperature Control can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Macon.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like 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 right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Air Temperature Control
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Air Temperature Control. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Macon!