When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or gross aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous situation, like a natural gas leak.
At Select Comfort Systems, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in West Valley City.
What does a particular smell billowing from your cooling system mean? Here are some typical air conditioner aromas 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 beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential reason for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this unpleasant situation, it’s important to have a quality service tech 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 regularly to promote good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it could be because 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 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 ventilate the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can foster 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 lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Select Comfort Systems can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create 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 get hot and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning 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 aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When 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 creates an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech 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 diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Select Comfort Systems can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in West Valley City.
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 aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be problems 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 believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Select Comfort Systems
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Select Comfort Systems. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in West Valley City!
