When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or gross odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner can 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 cause might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous problem, including a natural gas leak.
At ACE Solutions, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, there’s a good chance our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Hasbrouck Heights.
What does a particular smell coming coming from your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by 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 growth of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a bad odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system’s air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this issue, 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 on a regular basis to provide good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it may be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a unique 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 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from ACE Solutions can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant situations is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like urine.
Another potential cause of the smell 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 generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.
My Air Conditioner 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 parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important to phone a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for 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 call your gas company or emergency services right away.
The Air Conditioning 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 promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is sometimes 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 within the air conditioning system. This often can take place 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 check out and clean your cooling system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be multiple reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. Another possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled specialist 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 identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are wanting to upgrade, ACE Solutions can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Hasbrouck Heights.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other 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 it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system as soon as possible 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 residence.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at ACE Solutions
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling experts at ACE Solutions. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Hasbrouck Heights!