When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or gross 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 could lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Fire & Ice HVAC, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Manassas.
What does a specific odor coming out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason 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 it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this dilemma, it's important to have a quality service tech 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 restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it could be because of 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is 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.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, 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 may be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Fire & Ice HVAC can help protect against 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 undesirable scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like 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 effectively, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services straight 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 causes an environment that promotes 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home's AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled mechanic inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Fire & Ice HVAC can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Manassas.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Fire & Ice HVAC
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling experts at Fire & Ice HVAC. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Manassas!