When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or unappealing smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At B&D Air Conditioning, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, there's a good chance our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Safford.
What does a particular smell wafting out of your cooling system mean? Here are some common air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes filled 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 dilemma, 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 regularly to promote good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it could be due to 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, 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from B&D Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another possible cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged 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 build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit 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 break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. If 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 phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates 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 potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck 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 solve the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional check out 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 several reasons a home's AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. Another possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, B&D Air Conditioning can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Safford.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at B&D Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling specialists at B&D Air Conditioning. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning 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 Safford!