When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or gross odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Stanford Heating & Cooling, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Bloomfield.
What does a particular smell coming from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner smells and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to substandard 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 exchange the air filter routinely to promote good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment 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 recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Stanford Heating & Cooling can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another potential 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 filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible 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 result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, get everyone out of the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning 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 causes an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck 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 fix the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to determine 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 multiple reasons a home's air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. Another possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled specialist examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Stanford Heating & Cooling can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Bloomfield.
My Air Conditioner 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 odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles 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 right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Stanford Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Stanford Heating & Cooling. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Bloomfield!
