When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or gross smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you're smelling, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a harmful problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Strine's, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in York.
What does a certain smell billowing from your AC mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential explanation for the stench of dirty feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct this dilemma, 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it may be the result of 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 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Strine's can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable situations is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like urine.
Another possible 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to call a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning 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 distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, leave the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
When 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 promotes 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 is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home's air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. A second possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, Strine's can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in York.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If 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 cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you think your system has 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Strine's
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Strine's. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in York!