When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or gross aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to serious damage to your HVAC system 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. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Custom Air Systems Inc, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, there's a good chance 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 Port St. Lucie.
What does a specific odor billowing from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner odors and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may 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 conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of 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 routinely to ensure good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your smells like rotten eggs, it may be caused by 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, that 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 ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Custom Air Systems Inc can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. 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 create a foul odor that is like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, 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 is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell like burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs immediate attention. Should 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 right away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that is conducive to 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 create a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck in the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's important to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They will be able to determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled mechanic look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues 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, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Custom Air Systems Inc can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Port St. Lucie.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware 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 issue, it's important to shut 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.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Custom Air Systems Inc
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling experts at Custom Air Systems Inc. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Port St. Lucie!
