When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or unappealing odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Mobile.
What does a specific odor coming coming from your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely cause of an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to 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 prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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 is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is extraordinarily dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make 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 stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC 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 is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that can be 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 stuck 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 solve the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial 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 diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Mobile.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 prevent injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling specialists at Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Mobile!