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. Disregarding 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 what you’re smelling, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc., we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Sussex County.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When the 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 solve this problem, 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 ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it may 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, which is because of a substance 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another possible cause of the stink could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect 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, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioner smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of 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 is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Sussex County.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling experts at Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Sussex County!
