When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or unappealing aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe situation, like a natural gas leak.
At MPC Heating & Cooling, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, there’s a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Chadron.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your cooling system mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects 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 stinky feet.
Another potential explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix this problem, 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 routinely to promote good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it might be the result 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, which is because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a clogged air filter. When 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 MPC Heating & Cooling can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a accumulation 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 is like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate 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. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
Your AC 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 distinct aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and calls for immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s 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 strong odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped 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 fix the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other potential 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 essential to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, MPC Heating & Cooling can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Chadron.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, 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 hazardous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at MPC Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling specialists at MPC Heating & Cooling. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Chadron!