Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or funky smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit may 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 sign of an unsafe scenario, like a natural gas leak.

At Freed Heating & Air Conditioning, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Moline.

What does a particular smell billowing from your cooling system mean? Here are several common air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another possible reason for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To correct this issue, 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 exchange the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning unit reeks of rotten eggs, it might be due to 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 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.

Annual air conditioning maintenance from Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running 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 due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged 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 build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.

Your AC 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 components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets caught 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 AC unit, it’s essential to phone a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services straight away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

If your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.

To solve the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional check out 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.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar

There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. A second possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If 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 mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor persists after the cleaning and changing 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 planning to upgrade, Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Moline.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If 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 cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.

If you suspect 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 hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Moline!