When your air conditioner starts putting out unusual or gross smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a harmful problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At Air Concepts of Middle Georgia, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia.
What does a specific odor wafting from your AC mean? Here are several common air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of 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 growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another potential explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To correct this dilemma, 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 exchange the air filter regularly to promote good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it might be the result of 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 added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak 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 air out the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can promote 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. When 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 Air Concepts of Middle Georgia can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create 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 heat up and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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 right away.
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 causes an environment that fosters 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material stuck within the air conditioning system. This often is possible 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 examine and clean your cooling system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. One other possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing of 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, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Air Concepts of Middle Georgia can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting 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 some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible cause of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 prevent injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Air Concepts of Middle Georgia
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Air Concepts of Middle Georgia. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia!