When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or unappealing aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to serious 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. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Farris Heating & Air, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Bartlesville.
What does a specific odor billowing out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to 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 exchange the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it could be because 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 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 ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Farris Heating & Air can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, 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 because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for 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 contact your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that can be 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 trapped within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled tech look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Farris Heating & Air can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Bartlesville.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another 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 think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Farris Heating & Air
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Farris Heating & Air. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Bartlesville!