When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or gross smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe problem, like a natural gas leak.

At West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc., we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in West Jefferson.

What does a certain smell coming out of your AC mean? Here are some common air conditioner smells and what they may mean:

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the spread 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 might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to provide good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your reeks of rotten eggs, it may be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct 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 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 emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.

Another possible explanation for the smell may be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Routine air conditioning maintenance from West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

One of the most distressing situations is when your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like 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 properly, 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 generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts 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 that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to phone a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner 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 smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires 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 contact your gas company or emergency services right away.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul 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 caught 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 fix the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They can determine 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 several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. One other possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When 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 specialist look at and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers 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, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in West Jefferson.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

An additional possible cause of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to shut down your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your house.

Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling professionals at West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in West Jefferson!