When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or unappealing smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc., we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Shamokin and Sunbury.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another possible reason for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this problem, it’s important to have an experienced specialist 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 routinely to promote good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it could be the result of 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, that is 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 ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a plugged 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 resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for 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 become hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, 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 contact your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When your AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside 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 fix the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and replacing of 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Shamokin and Sunbury.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling specialists at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Shamokin and Sunbury!