When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or funky aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to serious 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 indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Central Air LLC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Brookfield.
What does a certain smell wafting out of your cooling system mean? Here are several common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it may be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a collection 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 bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Central Air LLC can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged 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.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, 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 the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 distinct aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When your AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Central Air LLC can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Brookfield.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, 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 reason for the smell could be a problem 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 problem, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Central Air LLC
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling professionals at Central Air LLC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Brookfield!