Why Does Your AC Smell and How You Can 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 major problem. Ignoring 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 what you’re smelling, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous situation, including a natural gas leak.

At Brookwood Inc, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Newton.

What does a specific odor billowing from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner odors and what they might mean:

Your AC 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 create an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.

Another possible explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled 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 fix 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 regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it may 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, which is 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 air out the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.

Annual air conditioning maintenance from Brookwood Inc can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working 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 stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a plugged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by 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.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell like burning plastic.

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

Your AC Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. If 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 contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

Your AC Smells Like Fish

When your air conditioner smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is often 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 trapped within the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.

To solve the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.

Your AC Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. Another possible cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s beneficial to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor persists after the cleaning and changing 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 needs to be replaced.

If you are wanting to upgrade, Brookwood Inc can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Newton.

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 some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

An additional possible cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 prevent injury or damage to your home.

Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Brookwood Inc

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Brookwood Inc. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Newton!