When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky odors, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Precision Mechanical, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something odd coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Rapid City.
What does a particular smell wafting from your AC mean? Here are several common air conditioner odors and what they may mean:
Your AC 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 accumulates inside the unit, it can create an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another possible explanation for the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix this unpleasant situation, 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 ensure good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment smells like rotten eggs, it might be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable 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 allow gas to escape the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew
If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it might be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible explanation for the smell may be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.
Regular air conditioning maintenance from Precision Mechanical can help protect against both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the smell 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 stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell like burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to call a professional right away.
Your AC Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive aroma, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
When your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s 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 is sometimes 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 stuck in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home’s air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. A second potential 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 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 identify and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Precision Mechanical can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Rapid City.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
One other possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in 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 turn 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.
Strange Smell Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Precision Mechanical
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Precision Mechanical. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Rapid City!
