When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or funky smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring 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 smell, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Oxford.
What does a certain smell billowing out of your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this dilemma, it’s important to have an experienced specialist 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 development of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it might be because of 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 can be 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a soiled 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 Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that is conducive to 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 correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find 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 your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. One other possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic 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 diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Oxford.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Oxford!