When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or gross odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner 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 sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a harmful situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Freed Heating & Air Conditioning, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, you can bet that 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 Moline.
What does a specific odor billowing out of your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of 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 promote good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of rotten eggs, it may be due to 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be extraordinarily 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when 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 potential cause of the scent of urine 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 clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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 contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces 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 create 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 is possible 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 check out and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If 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 look at 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 persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Moline.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If 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 a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Moline!