When your air conditioner starts spewing weird 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 air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Superior Comfort Systems, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Hendersonville.
What does a particular smell billowing out of your air conditioning mean? Here are several common air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's 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 solve this dilemma, it's important to have a quality service tech 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 on a regular basis to provide good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it might be caused by a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a unique 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 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Superior Comfort Systems can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!
Your AC 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 traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible 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 clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that resembles urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to phone a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling of 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 dangerous 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 phone your gas company or emergency services right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioner smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes 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 potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell might 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 essential to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Superior Comfort Systems can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Hendersonville.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to shut down 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.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Superior Comfort Systems
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling experts at Superior Comfort Systems. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Hendersonville!
