When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or unappealing smells, 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 serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Woody's Sudden Service, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Manassas.
What does a specific odor billowing coming from your cooling system mean? Here are some typical air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely cause of 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 debris, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this problem, 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 regularly to provide good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is very 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Woody's Sudden Service can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another potential 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 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 generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make 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 stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that promotes 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 check out and clean your cooling system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. A second potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Woody's Sudden Service can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Manassas.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible source of the smell could be problems 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 believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to turn 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 prevent injury or damage to your residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Woody's Sudden Service
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Woody's Sudden Service. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Manassas!