When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or unappealing smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a harmful scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Mission Viejo.
What does a specific odor billowing out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner smells 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 system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles 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 on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it may be caused by 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 because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be very 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 at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled 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 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles 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 create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to call a professional right away.
Your AC 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 similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and calls for immediate attention. Should 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 right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC 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 fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is sometimes 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 stuck inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s important 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 correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. Another potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled mechanic examine 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 diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Mission Viejo.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible cause of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling professionals at 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Mission Viejo!