When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or gross aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of a harmful situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Northern Comfort Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Mankato area.
What does a specific odor billowing from your AC mean? Here are some typical air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible explanation for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this unpleasant situation, it’s important to have an experienced specialist 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 routinely to ensure good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner stinks like 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, which is because of a substance 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Northern Comfort Inc can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a plugged 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 collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. Over 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 unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioner 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 foul odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. A second possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled specialist 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 find and repair any persistent 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, Northern Comfort Inc can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Mankato area.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of 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.
One other possible reason for the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles 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 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 home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Northern Comfort Inc
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling professionals at Northern Comfort Inc. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Mankato area!
