When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or unappealing odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding 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 cause of the odor, the root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a harmful scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Smyth Air Conditioning, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Lake Worth.
What does a specific odor billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. 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 foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix 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 on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it might be due to 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 very dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Smyth Air Conditioning can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine 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 generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts 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 stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck 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 cooling system, it’s important to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, 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, get everyone out of the building and phone your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that fosters 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 potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside the air conditioning system. This often is possible 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 air conditioning system. They can find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. One other possible 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 beneficial to have a skilled specialist look at 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 diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Smyth Air Conditioning can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Lake Worth.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to turn off 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 house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Smyth Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Smyth Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Lake Worth!