When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or unappealing odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Knoechel Heating, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Zelienople.
What does a certain smell coming out of your air conditioning mean? Here are some common air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this issue, 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 provide good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it could be the result 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, which is because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is very 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Knoechel Heating can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct odor, 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 we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioner 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 fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes 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 trapped within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. Another possible cause of the smell may 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 essential to have a skilled specialist 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, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Knoechel Heating can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Zelienople.
The Air Conditioning 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 aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be a problem 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 believe there is 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 hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Knoechel Heating
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling specialists at Knoechel Heating. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Zelienople!