When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Anderson Heating & A/C, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird 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 Carson City.
What does a specific odor billowing out of your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner smells and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To solve 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 provide good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is because of a substance 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 ventilate the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Anderson Heating & A/C can help protect against 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 distressing 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 potential cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of 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 heat up and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
Your AC 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 this scent is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioner smell like fish, you may have a situation where there's a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 inspect and clean your HVAC system. They can find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. One other potential 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 tech look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and exchanging 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, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Anderson Heating & A/C can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Carson City.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible reason for the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce 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 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 the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Anderson Heating & A/C
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at Anderson Heating & A/C. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Carson City!