When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or gross 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 air conditioning could lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe situation, like a natural gas leak.
At Knoechel Heating, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Zelienople.
What does a certain smell coming coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential explanation for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To solve 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 replace the air filter regularly to ensure good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of rotten eggs, it might be the result of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 ventilate the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Knoechel Heating can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another possible cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make 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 caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning 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 similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and needs immediate attention. When 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 as soon as possible.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment 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 is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong 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 caught in the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent 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 possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists 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 mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Knoechel Heating can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Zelienople.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be an issue 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 suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Knoechel Heating
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling experts at Knoechel Heating. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Zelienople!