If Your Air Conditioner Smells, Here's How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or funky aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous problem, like a natural gas leak.

At Farnell Mechanical, Inc., we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, chances are our team of skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Auburn and Opelika.

What does a particular smell coming out of your cooling system mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner smells and what they could mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds 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 possible reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.

To correct this dilemma, 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 replace the air filter on a regular basis to provide good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, 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 is added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak can be extremely 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Routine air conditioning maintenance from Farnell Mechanical, Inc. can help avoid both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

One of the most undesirable situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.

If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of 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 damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that it similar to urine.

Another possible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern 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 root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. When 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 right away.

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 creates an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.

To correct the issue, it's important to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They can find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be several reasons a home's AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a clogged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled specialist 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 hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Farnell Mechanical, Inc. can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Auburn and Opelika.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a problem 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 believe there is 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 protect against injury or damage to your residence.

Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Farnell Mechanical, Inc.

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling experts at Farnell Mechanical, Inc.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Auburn and Opelika!