When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous situation, 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 weird coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Phoenix.
What does a specific odor wafting coming from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors 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 in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To solve this issue, 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 regularly to promote good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of 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 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 air out the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation 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 stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. 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 emit a foul odor that is like urine.
Another feasible 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and needs immediate attention. Should 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 as soon as possible.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your cooling 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.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled specialist examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and changing of 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, Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Phoenix.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of 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.
One other possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to shut down 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling professionals at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Phoenix!