When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a harmful situation, like a natural gas leak.
At Northern Comfort Inc, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of skilled pros 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 particular smell wafting out of your cooling system mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct 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 routinely to promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like 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 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 at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, 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 soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Northern Comfort 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 running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential 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 stopped up by 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.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and emit a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, 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 we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. Should 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioner smell like fish, it could be due to 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 often 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 is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC 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.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons a home's air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. One other possible cause of the smell could 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 specialist look at 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 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, Northern Comfort Inc can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Mankato area.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor 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 resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it's important to shut down your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Northern Comfort Inc
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Northern Comfort Inc. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Mankato area!
