When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or funky smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to additional damage to your AC 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. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At I-Deal HVAC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Albuquerque.
What does a specific odor coming coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are several common air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another potential explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix this issue, 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 routinely to ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it might be the result 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 because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, 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 may be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from I-Deal HVAC can help prevent both of these problems, 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 undesirable things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a accumulation 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 is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by 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 unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of 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 heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. When 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If 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 creates an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is often 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 trapped in 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 fix the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech examine 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 persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, I-Deal HVAC can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Albuquerque.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at I-Deal HVAC
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at I-Deal HVAC. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Albuquerque!