When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or gross smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major 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 could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Air-Right Energy Design, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Manassas.
What does a specific odor coming out of your cooling system mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could 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 nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this unpleasant situation, 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 change the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells like rotten eggs, it may be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a unique 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 extraordinarily 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 immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system 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 cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Air-Right Energy Design can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and needs immediate attention. If 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 phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioner smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that can be 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 stuck inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled specialist 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 find and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Air-Right Energy Design can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Manassas.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where 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 cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to turn 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Air-Right Energy Design
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Air-Right Energy Design. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Manassas!
