When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or funky aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to serious damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Tri City Fuel & Heating, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in West Columbia.
What does a particular smell billowing out of your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this unpleasant situation, it’s important to have an experienced specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It’s also important to change the air filter regularly to promote good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it could be because 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 very 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 right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Tri City Fuel & Heating can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling 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 produce a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another possible cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged 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 build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning 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 a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. 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 essential to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is often 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 caught 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 correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled mechanic look at 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 find 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, Tri City Fuel & Heating can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, expert air conditioner installation in West Columbia.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Tri City Fuel & Heating
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Tri City Fuel & Heating. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in West Columbia!
