When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or funky aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can 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. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a dangerous scenario, including a natural gas leak.
At Integrity AC & Heating LLC, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Phoenix.
What does a particular smell coming coming from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this issue, 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 ensure good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit 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, that 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 allow gas to escape the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Integrity AC & Heating LLC can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. 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 it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of 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 reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to call a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioner 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 often 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 caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. Another potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If 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 specialist 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 identify and repair any hidden 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, Integrity AC & Heating LLC can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Phoenix.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming 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 problems with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to turn off 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 prevent injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Integrity AC & Heating LLC
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Integrity AC & Heating LLC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Phoenix!
