When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or gross aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Covington Air Systems, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Covington.
What does a specific odor coming coming from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix 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 exchange the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit reeks of rotten eggs, it may be the result of 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be very 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, 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 buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Covington Air Systems 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!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup 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 can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, it might be because of 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 cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, 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 odor, often described as smelling similar to 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 hazardous and requires immediate attention. When 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 right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioner smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside 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 correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. A second likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic inspect 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 diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Covington Air Systems can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Covington.
My Air Conditioner 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 odor that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or elements 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 concern, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Covington Air Systems
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling specialists at Covington Air Systems. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Covington!