When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or funky aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to serious damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Kilbourne Heating & AC, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Delray Beach.
What does a specific odor wafting out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may 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 conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible cause of an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To solve this unpleasant situation, 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 on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it could be due to 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 can be extraordinarily dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to allow gas to escape 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 could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate 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 dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Kilbourne Heating & AC can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. 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 feasible 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 filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning 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 a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If 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 AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, 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 stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. If 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 contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. Another potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Kilbourne Heating & AC can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Delray Beach.
The Air Conditioning 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 odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or components 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 right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Kilbourne Heating & AC
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Kilbourne Heating & AC. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Delray Beach!