When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or unappealing smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Northern Comfort Inc, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Mankato area.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are several typical air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may 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 conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential cause of an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this problem, 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner 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 distinct 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 a situation that 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Northern Comfort Inc can help prevent 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 unpleasant situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning 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 is like urine.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped 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 air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to call 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 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 mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and needs immediate attention. If 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 as soon as possible.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioner smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s 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 disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught 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 correct the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. A second likely 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 important to have a skilled tech inspect 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 underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Northern Comfort Inc can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Mankato area.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause 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 down your air conditioning system immediately 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? Call the Pros at Northern Comfort Inc
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Northern Comfort Inc. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Mankato area!
