Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts putting out unusual or unappealing aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe situation, including a natural gas leak.

At Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Seymour.

What does a particular smell billowing from your air conditioning mean? Here are some common air conditioner odors and what they could mean:

Your AC 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 establish an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.

Another potential reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To solve 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it might be the result of 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 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor 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 result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.

Regular air conditioning maintenance from Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

One of the most distressing situations is when your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible 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 wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another feasible cause of the smell could be a blocked 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 generate 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 problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell like burning plastic.

If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.

Your AC Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish

If your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 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 stuck in 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 fix the issue, it's important to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning 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 your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. A second possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled mechanic examine 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 find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Seymour.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, 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.

One other possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to shut down 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 protect against injury or damage to your house.

Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling experts at Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Seymour!