When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or gross smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Airtech Cooling & Heating, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, there's a good chance our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Sarasota.
What does a specific odor wafting from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
Your AC 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 builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential explanation for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this unpleasant situation, 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 replace the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells like rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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, that 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 ventilate the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Airtech Cooling & Heating can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like 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 when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to 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 stopped up by 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.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. Should 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 as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When 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 causes 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 create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck within 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 often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. Another potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Airtech Cooling & Heating can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Sarasota.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to shut off your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Airtech Cooling & Heating
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Airtech Cooling & Heating. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Sarasota!