Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or gross odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the root of the problem might 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 even indicative of a dangerous problem, such as 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 odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in West Jefferson.

What does a specific odor billowing out of your air conditioning mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:

Your AC 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 collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another potential explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.

To correct 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning unit 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 unique 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 air out the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might 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 odor that it similar to mildew.

Another possible explanation for the smell may be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.

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

Your AC Smells Like Urine

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

If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, 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 create 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 problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible root cause of 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 heat up and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.

If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning 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 distinctive smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs immediate attention. When 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.

My Air Conditioner 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 causes 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.

Another potential cause of 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 worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine 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 your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers 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 looking to upgrade, West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in West Jefferson.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of 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.

One other possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.

Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

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