When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Northglenn.
What does a particular smell wafting coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are some common air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner 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 accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this problem, 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 ensure good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it could be the result of 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 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 at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can cultivate 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 dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment 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 if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist 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 clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner 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 odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, leave 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, 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 foul 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 trapped in the air conditioning system. This often can take place 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 examine and clean your cooling system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial 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 diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Northglenn.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles 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 immediately 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 residence.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling experts at Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Northglenn!