When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Holbrook.
What does a particular smell coming coming from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner smells and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct 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 routinely to promote good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells 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, which is because of a substance 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, evacuate 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 collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a blocked 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 accumulate 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, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to 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. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said before, 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
When your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s 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 strong odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside 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 worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Holbrook.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, 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.
One other possible reason for the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Holbrook!