When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or funky smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding 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 root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a dangerous situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, 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 professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Greater Richmond.
What does a certain smell wafting out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by 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 development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible reason for the stench of dirty feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this issue, 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 allow gas to escape the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help protect against both of these problems, 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 undesirable situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely 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 emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another possible cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create 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 problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible 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 become hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be because of 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 a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
If your AC 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 is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's important to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons a home's air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Greater Richmond.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible cause of the smell could be problems 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 believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Greater Richmond!