When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or unappealing aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing 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. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Phoenix.
What does a certain smell coming out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors 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 builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another potential reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to substandard 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 quality service tech 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 ensure good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment smells like rotten eggs, it might be due to 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 can be 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 right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner 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 break, 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 stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC 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 promotes 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 plausible explanation for 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 correct the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can find 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 several reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled mechanic look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Phoenix.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes 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 components inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to 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 immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Phoenix!