When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or funky smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a harmful problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Air Concepts of Middle Georgia, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance 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 Milledgeville and Middle Georgia.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your air conditioning mean? Here are some common air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve 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 restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it could be because of 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be very dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC 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 the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Air Concepts of Middle Georgia can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the smell 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 collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for 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 result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like 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 conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. Should 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.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When your AC smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that is conducive to 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 plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within 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 correct the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other potential cause of the smell could 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 beneficial to have a skilled tech look at 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 identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Air Concepts of Middle Georgia can help locate the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia.
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 is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to turn off your air conditioning system immediately 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 Cooling? Call the Pros at Air Concepts of Middle Georgia
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling professionals at Air Concepts of Middle Georgia. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia!