When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or gross aromas, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may 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. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioner. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of talented pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Omaha.
What does a specific odor wafting out of your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.
Another likely explanation for an odor of stinky feet might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix 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 provide good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your 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 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 is extremely 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning can help prevent both of these issues, 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 an air conditioner smells like urine.
If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another potential cause of the stink could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away effectively, but if the drain line becomes clogged 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.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your AC smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As mentioned previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and calls for immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If 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 promotes 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 create a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create 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 persists after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any persistent 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, Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, professional air conditioner installation in Omaha.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If 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 something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut down 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 avoid injury or damage to your home.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, call the cooling professionals at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Omaha!