When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a harmful problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At I-Deal HVAC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, there's a good chance our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Albuquerque.
What does a certain smell billowing from your cooling system mean? Here are several frequent 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 collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled 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 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 exchange the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like 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, 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 allow gas to escape the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it might 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 odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from I-Deal HVAC can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another potential 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 clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner 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 this scent is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, get everyone out of the building and contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment 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 disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. Another possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and exchanging 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, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, I-Deal HVAC can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Albuquerque.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to shut down 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at I-Deal HVAC
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at I-Deal HVAC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Albuquerque!