When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or unappealing aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous situation, like a natural gas leak.
At Siloam Springs Heating & AC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Siloam Springs.
What does a particular smell coming from your AC mean? Here are several typical air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible explanation for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct 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 replace the air filter regularly to ensure good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it could be due to 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 allow gas to escape 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 cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Siloam Springs Heating & AC can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. 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 air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct aroma, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for 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 call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
When your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck within 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 worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. A second potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after 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 inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Siloam Springs Heating & AC can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Siloam Springs.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be caused by 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.
One other possible cause of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware 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 shut down your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Siloam Springs Heating & AC
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling experts at Siloam Springs Heating & AC. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Siloam Springs!
