When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, 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 even indicative of a dangerous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Farris Heating & Air, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, chances are our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Bartlesville.
What does a specific odor wafting from your AC mean? Here are several typical air conditioner aromas and what they could 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 system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this issue, it's important to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It's also important to change the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it may 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 because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 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 AC smells like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty 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.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Farris Heating & Air can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible 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 is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential cause of the smell 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 filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to 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 AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and calls for immediate attention. Should you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your AC 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 disgusting 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 caught inside 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 check out and clean your HVAC system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. A second possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled tech examine 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 diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Farris Heating & Air can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Bartlesville.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described 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 hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to turn off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Farris Heating & Air
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Farris Heating & Air. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Bartlesville!