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

When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or unappealing 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 can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe situation, like a natural gas leak.

At Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, you can bet that our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Omaha.

What does a certain smell coming coming from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.

Another likely cause of the smell 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 bears a resemblance to feet.

To fix this dilemma, it’s important to have an experienced specialist 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 regularly to ensure good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning unit smells 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak is a situation that 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 air out the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, 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 could be a clogged air filter. Once 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 situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system running at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

One of the most unpleasant things is when your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit 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 correctly, but if the drain line becomes clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can create 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 issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, 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 get hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to call a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioner smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas to make it 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, leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services straight away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

When 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 disgusting odor that is often 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 trapped inside 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 solve the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your air conditioning system. They can find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be several reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another likely 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 important to have a skilled mechanic look at 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 persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning can help select the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, expert 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 due to a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

An additional possible source of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts 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 issue, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system immediately 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.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Omaha!