When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or gross odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can 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 culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of a harmful problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Childress Heating & AC, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Fredericksburg.
What does a specific odor coming out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential explanation for the smell could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this issue, 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 exchange the air filter regularly to promote good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it may be due to 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 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, make everyone leave 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 could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can foster 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 soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Childress Heating & AC can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential 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 clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate 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 a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, 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, get everyone out of the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should 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 disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in the air conditioning system. This often can take place 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 inspect and clean your cooling system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. A second potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled specialist look at 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 find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Childress Heating & AC can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Fredericksburg.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If 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 something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut 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 avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Childress Heating & AC
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Childress Heating & AC. 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 funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Fredericksburg!