When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of an unsafe scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Dave's Diversified Services, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Front Royal.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely cause of the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it might be because of 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 extremely 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 immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might 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 smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Dave's Diversified Services can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another feasible 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 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 conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get 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 worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into 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, get everyone out of the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that can be 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 inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 HVAC system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. One other potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled tech look at 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 find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Dave's Diversified Services can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Front Royal.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut 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 house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Dave's Diversified Services
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling professionals at Dave's Diversified Services. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Front Royal!