When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or unappealing aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing 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 the cause of the odor, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous problem, like a natural gas leak.
At Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Yukon.
What does a particular smell billowing from your air conditioning mean? Here are some typical air conditioner smells and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can 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 spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To correct this problem, 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 exchange the air filter routinely to promote good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning unit stinks like rotten eggs, it could be due to 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak can be extraordinarily 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms 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 may be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning can help protect against both of these situations, 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 stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential 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 effectively, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts 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 stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioning 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 a smell is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. Should 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 phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should 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 fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is often 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 trapped 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 fix the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
Your AC Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. A second potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make 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 continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Yukon.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware 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 turn off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Yukon!
