When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or gross aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to serious 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. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Age Heating & Cooling, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Sandpoint.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your AC mean? Here are some typical air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely explanation for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To solve this problem, 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 replace the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive 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 ventilate the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. If 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 Age Heating & Cooling can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if 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 plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, 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 lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to phone 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 your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned 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 phone your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When 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 fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Age Heating & Cooling can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Sandpoint.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to 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 something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is 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 house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Age Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at Age Heating & Cooling. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Sandpoint!
