When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or funky odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Brandywine Heating & Air, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Wilmington.
What does a particular smell coming out of your AC mean? Here are some common air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely cause of an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix 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 routinely to promote good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of rotten eggs, it may be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive 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 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 air out the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty 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 Brandywine Heating & Air can help avoid both of these issues, 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 the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell that reminds people of 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 conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and calls for immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, get everyone out of the building and contact your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If 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 causes an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause 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 is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To correct the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled specialist look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists 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 should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Brandywine Heating & Air can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Wilmington.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible reason for the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.
Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Brandywine Heating & Air
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, call the cooling experts at Brandywine Heating & Air. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Wilmington!