When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or funky odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a dangerous problem, like a natural gas leak.

At Cooler Tymes LLC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Litchfield Park.

What does a particular smell billowing coming from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner smells and what they may mean:

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.

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

To solve this issue, 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 change the air filter regularly to ensure good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it may be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable 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 air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a clogged air filter. When 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 Cooler Tymes LLC can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

One of the most undesirable things is when your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.

Another potential cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up 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, this could indicate 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 reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas

If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.

As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and requires immediate attention. When 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 phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

If 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 causes an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.

Another potential 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 is trapped inside the unit and dies.

To solve the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.

Your AC Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. A second potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Cooler Tymes LLC can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Litchfield Park.

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. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described 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 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 turn off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your house.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Cooler Tymes LLC

If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at Cooler Tymes LLC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Litchfield Park!