When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner 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 might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Northridge.
What does a particular smell coming out of your air conditioning mean? Here are several typical air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
Your AC 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 establish 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 feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this dilemma, it's important to have an experienced specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It's also important to replace the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit smells like rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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 a situation that 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas so that it is 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 straight away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to 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 foul odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught 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 solve the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled mechanic inspect 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 find 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 looking to upgrade, Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Northridge.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible reason for the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to shut down your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling specialists at Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Northridge!
