When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or funky aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Gilray Heating and Cooling, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Wausau.
What does a certain smell coming from your cooling system mean? Here are a few common air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely cause of the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in poor 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 replace the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it might be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable 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 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a clogged air filter. Once 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 Gilray Heating and Cooling can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit 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 produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for 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 straight away.
The Air Conditioning 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 promotes 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 create a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck inside 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 fix the issue, it’s important to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. A second possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify 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, Gilray Heating and Cooling can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Wausau.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If 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 source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like 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 right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Gilray Heating and Cooling
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Gilray Heating and Cooling. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Wausau!