When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or unappealing smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Wallpe Heating & Cooling, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Greensburg.
What does a particular smell coming out of your cooling system mean? Here are a few common air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct 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 change the air filter regularly to ensure good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it might 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Wallpe Heating & Cooling can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential cause of the stink could be a plugged 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 create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped 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 cooling system, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and needs immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioner smell like fish, you may have a situation where there's a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that is conducive to 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 cause 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 take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled tech look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify 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 wanting to upgrade, Wallpe Heating & Cooling can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Greensburg.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to shut off your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Wallpe Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Wallpe Heating & Cooling. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Greensburg!