When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or funky aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a harmful situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Speedy Air Conditioning, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Naples.
What does a specific odor coming from your AC mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another potential reason for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to low 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 change the air filter routinely to promote good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment 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 distinctive 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 is a situation that is extraordinarily dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to ventilate the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Speedy Air Conditioning can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely 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 wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul 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 stuck in 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 solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling 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.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. A second potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial 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 diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Speedy Air Conditioning can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Naples.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be due to 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.
Another possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Speedy Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at Speedy Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Naples!
