When your air conditioner starts emitting strange or funky smells, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could 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 culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe problem, such as a natural gas leak.
At All Solutions Heating & Cooling, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, there’s a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Beaverton.
What does a specific odor wafting out of your cooling system mean? Here are several common air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible reason for the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other particles, it can lead to low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To fix this problem, 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 routinely to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioner reeks of rotten eggs, it could be the result of 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 because of a substance 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 ventilate the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from All Solutions Heating & Cooling can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible 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 produce a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another possible 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 effectively, but if the drain line becomes choked 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.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck 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 AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.
As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, get everyone out of the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
If 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 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional inspect 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 keep the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. A second likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate 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 lingers after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, All Solutions Heating & Cooling can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Beaverton.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible reason for the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your house.
Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at All Solutions Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling experts at All Solutions Heating & Cooling. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Beaverton!
