When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or gross smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Patterson & Stirling, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Erie.
What does a specific odor coming coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix 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 exchange the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it might be due to 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be extraordinarily 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When 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 Patterson & Stirling can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts 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 stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is sometimes 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 is possible 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 determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. Another likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Patterson & Stirling can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Erie.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting 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 people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible source of 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 suspect 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Patterson & Stirling
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Patterson & Stirling. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Erie!
