When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Parker County Cooling & Heating, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Weatherford.
What does a particular smell billowing out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner odors and what they might mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could 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 development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this problem, 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 on a regular basis to promote good air quality and prevent 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 due to 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 is a situation that is 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 air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects 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 cause of 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 is similar to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Parker County Cooling & Heating 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!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One likely cause is a accumulation 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 favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another possible cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by 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 issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to phone 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 odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As stated previously, 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, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible 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 is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic 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 hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Parker County Cooling & Heating can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Weatherford.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to turn 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 protect against injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Parker County Cooling & Heating
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Parker County Cooling & Heating. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Weatherford!