Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or gross aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous problem, including a natural gas leak.

At Southeast Heating & Cooling, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these types of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Sugar Hill.

What does a particular smell coming from your AC mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.

Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To correct this unpleasant situation, 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it may 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, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak can be very dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Routine air conditioning maintenance from Southeast Heating & Cooling can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

One of the most distressing scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like urine.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to call a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.

As stated 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

If your AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that fosters 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.

Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within 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 worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons a home's air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When 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 specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing 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 ought to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Southeast Heating & Cooling can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Sugar Hill.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent 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 parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 prevent injury or damage to your residence.

Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Southeast Heating & Cooling

If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Southeast Heating & Cooling. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Sugar Hill!

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