When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or unappealing aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Pella.
What does a certain smell coming out of your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible 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 lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct this unpleasant situation, 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 change the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and protect against the development 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 distinctive 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 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating can help protect against both of these situations, 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 unpleasant situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like 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 can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated before, 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 call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
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 produces an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting 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 stuck 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 fix the issue, it’s worthwhile 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 multiple reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. One other possible cause of the smell could 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 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 underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Pella.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system as soon as possible 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.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Pella!
