Why Does Your AC Smell and How You Can Fix It

When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or funky smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner 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 cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful problem, such as a natural gas leak.

At Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Warrenton.

What does a certain smell billowing coming from your cooling system mean? Here are some typical air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another potential cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To solve this dilemma, 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 regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your reeks of rotten eggs, it might be the result 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 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.

Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty 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 Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these problems, 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 undesirable things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.

If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.

Another feasible cause of the smell 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 filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can create 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 caught 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 AC unit, it’s important to phone a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning 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 smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, get everyone out of the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

Your AC Smells Like Fish

When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, you may have a situation where there's a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.

Another possible cause of 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 is trapped inside the unit and dies.

To fix the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. One other potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are wanting to upgrade, Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Warrenton.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

An additional possible reason for the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.

Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning

If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Warrenton!