When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or unappealing odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause may 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 an unsafe situation, like a natural gas leak.

At Integrity AC & Heating LLC, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Phoenix.

What does a specific odor coming coming from your AC mean? Here are several common air conditioner odors and what they may mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.

Another possible reason for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.

To fix this dilemma, it's important to have a professional 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 protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner 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 distinct 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 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your AC smells like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Another possible cause of the smell may 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.

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 terrific way to keep your system running at its best!

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine

One of the most undesirable situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.

If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible 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 moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that resembles urine.

Another feasible 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 collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your AC smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential 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 another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.

As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and needs immediate attention. Should 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 right away.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

Should your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there's a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that fosters 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 caught 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 correct the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

Your AC Smells Like Vinegar

There could be several reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. A second possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled specialist look at and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should 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 offer reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Phoenix.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

An additional possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.

Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Integrity AC & Heating LLC

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling specialists at Integrity AC & Heating LLC. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning troubles through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Phoenix!