If Your Air Conditioner Smells, Here's How to Fix It

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 conditioning can lead to serious damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a harmful situation, like a natural gas leak.

At Kilbourne Heating & AC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Delray Beach.

What does a certain smell wafting coming from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they might 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 collects inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another likely cause of the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To fix this issue, 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 routinely to promote 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 caused by 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, which is because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.

Routine 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 operating at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

One of the most undesirable situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.

If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit 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 correctly, 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 is sometimes described as smelling of urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.

If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.

As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

When 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 is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong 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 stuck in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.

To fix the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can 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 numerous reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell might 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 important to have a skilled specialist look at and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing 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, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Kilbourne Heating & AC can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Delray Beach.

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 aroma that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

Another possible cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you suspect 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 prevent injury or damage to your residence.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Kilbourne Heating & AC

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling specialists at Kilbourne Heating & AC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Delray Beach!