When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or gross odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to further damage to your AC 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. On the other hand, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of an unsafe problem, including a natural gas leak.

At Select Comfort Systems, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in West Valley City.

What does a specific odor wafting from your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner smells and what they may mean:

My Air Conditioner 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 accumulates inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.

Another possible explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To correct 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 formation of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment smells like rotten eggs, it may 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 like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.

Another possible explanation for the smell could be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.

Regular air conditioning maintenance from Select Comfort Systems can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

One of the most distressing scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioner stinks like 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 in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a clogged 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 accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your AC smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make 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 stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.

If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As mentioned before, 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, get everyone out of the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.

Why 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 produces an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that can be 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 caught within the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.

To fix the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. Another likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find 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 planning to upgrade, Select Comfort Systems can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, professional air conditioner installation in West Valley City.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by 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.

An additional possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to shut down 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 prevent injury or damage to your home.

Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Select Comfort Systems

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling professionals at Select Comfort Systems. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in West Valley City!