When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or gross aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Modesto.
What does a specific odor coming coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are some typical air conditioner odors and what they could 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 builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another potential reason for the smell may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct this dilemma, 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 exchange the air filter on a regular basis 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 because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct 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 ventilate the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a clogged air filter. If 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 Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the smell could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to contact 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 distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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 as soon as possible.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When 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 produces an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in 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 solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They can determine 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 an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled mechanic inspect 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 identify and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Modesto.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe 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 parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Modesto!