Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts spewing odd or gross aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe problem, including a natural gas leak.

At GV Heating & Air, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Crystal and Twin Cities.

What does a certain smell billowing out of your AC mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is conducive to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another likely explanation for the smell 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 fix 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 replace the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your smells like rotten eggs, it could be caused by a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive 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 can be 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

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

Another possible explanation for the smell may be a soiled air filter. Once 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 GV Heating & Air can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system working at its best!

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

One of the most unpleasant situations is when the air coming out of your HVAC system 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 accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that 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 possible 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 clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and cause a smell like burning plastic.

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to call a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning 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 distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and needs 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 contact your gas company or emergency services right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish

When your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that fosters 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 create 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 can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.

To correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. A second potential cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist examine and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor continues after the cleaning and replacing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to find and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning should be replaced.

If you are planning to upgrade, GV Heating & Air can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, skilled air conditioner installation in Crystal and Twin Cities.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If 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 reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to 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 as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your residence.

Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at GV Heating & Air

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at GV Heating & Air. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Crystal and Twin Cities!