When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or gross aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can 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 culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of an unsafe scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Fire & Ice HVAC, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, chances are our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Manassas.
What does a certain smell billowing from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this issue, 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 regularly to ensure good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it may be caused by 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 air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
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 a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Fire & Ice HVAC can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to call 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 the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment 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 fosters 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 trapped inside 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 solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine 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 several reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Fire & Ice HVAC can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Manassas.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to 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 immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Fire & Ice HVAC
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Fire & Ice HVAC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Manassas!