When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or funky smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful situation, like a natural gas leak.
At Contra Costa Heating & AC, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in The Bay Area.
What does a specific odor wafting out of your AC mean? Here are several common air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To correct this issue, 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 provide good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it might be caused by a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable 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 right away.
My Air Conditioner 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 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 may be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Contra Costa Heating & AC can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely 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 is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a plugged 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 collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. If 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 call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should 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 produces an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another plausible explanation for 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 gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it's often necessary 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 stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. A second likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled mechanic look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any underlying 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, Contra Costa Heating & AC can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, professional air conditioner installation in The Bay Area.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible reason for the smell could be something wrong 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 think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Contra Costa Heating & AC
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling experts at Contra Costa Heating & AC. 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 weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in The Bay Area!
