When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to serious damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of skilled professionals 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 particular smell wafting from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce 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 dirty feet.
Another potential explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this problem, 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 replace the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells like rotten eggs, it may 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 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 ventilate the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great 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 conditioning smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible cause of the stink 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 filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your AC 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 an odor is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, 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, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your AC smell like fish, it could be due to 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 strong odor that can be 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 is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Phoenix.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes 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 it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Phoenix!