When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or gross smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At Luikart Heating & Cooling, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Newark.
What does a specific odor coming out of your cooling system mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible cause of an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix this unpleasant situation, 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 routinely to promote good air quality and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment smells like rotten eggs, it could be the result of 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 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 allow gas to escape the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC emits a smell like mildew, it might be due to a buildup 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 stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell could be a soiled air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Luikart Heating & Cooling can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.
Another potential cause of the stink 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up 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 conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to phone 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 another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful 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, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, it could be due to 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 caught in the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled mechanic inspect 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 find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Luikart Heating & Cooling can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Newark.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to turn off 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.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Luikart Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling experts at Luikart Heating & Cooling. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Newark!