When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or gross aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the root of the problem may 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 a warning of a harmful scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, chances are 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 Bishop.
What does a specific odor wafting from your cooling system mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that resembles 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 replace the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit reeks of rotten eggs, it might be caused by 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 extraordinarily 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates 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 reason 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 has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning can help avoid 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!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged 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 produce 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, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts 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 lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be 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 a smell is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and requires 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 phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should 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 is conducive to 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 in 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 important to have a professional check out 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.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons a home’s AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist examine 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 diagnose and repair any persistent 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, Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Bishop.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce 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 residence.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Bishop!