When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or unappealing aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Connolly Electric & Mechanical, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, there's a good chance our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Cottonwood & Prescott.
What does a certain smell wafting from your AC mean? Here are a few common air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this dilemma, 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 on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it might be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct 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 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it might 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 odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Connolly Electric & Mechanical can help avoid both of these situations, 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 undesirable things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a buildup 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 produce a foul odor that it similar to 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 correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After some time, the electrical components 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 get hot and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner 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 distinct odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. If 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.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck inside the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Connolly Electric & Mechanical can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Cottonwood & Prescott.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by 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.
One other possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Connolly Electric & Mechanical
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Connolly Electric & Mechanical. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Cottonwood & Prescott!
