When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or unappealing smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At The Frazier Company, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Omaha.
What does a certain smell coming coming from your AC mean? Here are a few common air conditioner odors and what they could 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 accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this problem, 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 exchange the air filter regularly to promote good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it could be caused by a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct 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 right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates 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 cause of the smell may be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from The Frazier Company 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!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things 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 possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the smell 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements 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 unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When 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 produces 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, The Frazier Company can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Omaha.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people 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 result in a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at The Frazier Company
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling specialists at The Frazier Company. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Omaha!
