When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or funky odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the culprit 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 problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Bigfoot Mechanical, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Spokane.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your cooling system mean? Here are several common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible reason for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this problem, 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 exchange the air filter regularly to ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it may be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a unique 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 air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling 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 may be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Bigfoot Mechanical can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible 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 correctly, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said previously, 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 phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioning equipment 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 is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. Another possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled specialist examine 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 ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Bigfoot Mechanical can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Spokane.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If 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 an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Bigfoot Mechanical
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling experts at Bigfoot Mechanical. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Spokane!
