When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or unappealing aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Tri City Fuel & Heating, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in West Columbia.
What does a specific odor coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this dilemma, 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit smells like rotten eggs, it may be the result of 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 at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Tri City Fuel & Heating can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a plugged 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 resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor 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 calls for immediate attention. Should 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.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that promotes 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 potential cause of 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 important to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any underlying 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 find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, professional air conditioner installation in West Columbia.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. When 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 something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut 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 prevent injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Tri City Fuel & Heating
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Tri City Fuel & Heating. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in West Columbia!
