When your air conditioner starts putting out unusual or gross smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause might 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 dangerous situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Better Air, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Dundas and Northfield.
What does a particular smell billowing from your air conditioning mean? Here are some typical air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely explanation for the smell might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this problem, 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 on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner 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 recognizable 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Better Air can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem 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 root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and requires immediate attention. Should 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 call 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 creates an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is often 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 within the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging 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, Better Air can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Dundas and Northfield.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 prevent injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Better Air
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling specialists at Better Air. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Dundas and Northfield!