When your air conditioner starts putting out strange or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At MPC Heating & Cooling, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Chadron.
What does a certain smell wafting coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another potential explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this unpleasant situation, it’s important to have an experienced specialist 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 provide good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells like rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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 added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell may be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from MPC Heating & Cooling can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another possible cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, 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 conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem 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 get hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to call a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 distinctive smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires 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 as soon as possible.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
Should 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 creates an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck inside the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech look at 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, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, MPC Heating & Cooling can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Chadron.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. When 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 a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like 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 right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at MPC Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at MPC Heating & Cooling. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Chadron!