When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or gross odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of an unsafe problem, including a natural gas leak.
At Halverson Brothers Inc, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.
What does a specific odor billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this issue, 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 replace the air filter routinely to promote good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it might 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, 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 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 air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Halverson Brothers Inc can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential 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 damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate 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 air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create 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 caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell like 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, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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 call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioner 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 disgusting 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 stuck in the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech examine 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, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Halverson Brothers Inc can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to 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 source of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to shut off 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 protect against injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Halverson Brothers Inc
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Halverson Brothers Inc. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Menomonie and western Wisconsin!
