When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or gross odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit may 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 sign of a dangerous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Cooler Tymes LLC, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of qualified professionals 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 specific odor coming coming from your cooling system mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds 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 likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low 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 promote good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit smells like rotten eggs, it might 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 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it may be due to a buildup 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 odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Cooler Tymes LLC 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 working at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.
Your AC 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 recognizable aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated before, 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, evacuate the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning 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 causes an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes 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 stuck in the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist look at 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 diagnose 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 looking to upgrade, Cooler Tymes LLC can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Litchfield Park.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be the result of 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.
An additional possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware 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 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 avoid injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Cooler Tymes LLC
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Cooler Tymes LLC. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Litchfield Park!