When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Parker County Cooling & Heating, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, there's a good chance our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Weatherford.
What does a specific odor billowing out of your cooling system mean? Here are some common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely explanation for the smell could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve 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 routinely to provide good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment smells like 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, which is because of a substance 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Parker County Cooling & Heating can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning 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 resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a clogged 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 accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, 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 we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of 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 fix the issue, it's important to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. Another potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of 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 mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Parker County Cooling & Heating can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Weatherford.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Parker County Cooling & Heating
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Parker County Cooling & Heating. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Weatherford!