When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or unappealing odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit may 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 a hazardous situation, including a natural gas leak.
At Precision Mechanical, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, there’s a good chance our team of qualified specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Rapid City.
What does a certain smell billowing coming from your AC mean? Here are some common air conditioner smells and what they could mean:
Your AC Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely reason for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.
To solve this issue, 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 exchange the air filter routinely to provide good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your stinks like rotten eggs, it might be caused by 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system smells like mildew, it might be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell might be a soiled air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.
Annual air conditioning maintenance from Precision Mechanical 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!
Your AC Smells Like Urine
One of the most distressing scenarios is when your AC smells like urine.
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.
Another feasible cause of the scent of urine could be a blocked 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 is sometimes described as smelling of urine.
Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After some time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated previously, 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, get everyone out of the building and phone your gas company or emergency services right away.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish
Should 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 is conducive to 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 plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in 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 inspect and clean your HVAC system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s essential to have a skilled tech look at and clean your air conditioning. If the odor continues after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Precision Mechanical can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Rapid City.
Your AC Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.
If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Precision Mechanical
If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling experts at Precision Mechanical. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Rapid City!
