When your air conditioner starts putting out unusual or funky aromas, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous scenario, like a natural gas leak.
At TopTec, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, you can bet that our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Libertyville.
What does a particular smell billowing out of your cooling system mean? Here are some common air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another potential explanation for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes clogged 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 issue, it's important to have an experienced specialist 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 promote good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your reeks of rotten eggs, it could be because of 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 extremely 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 right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.
Another possible cause of 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.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from TopTec can help prevent both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine
One of the most undesirable scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another possible 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 correctly, but if the drain line becomes filled 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 unit smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical concern with the unit. After some time, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or bust, which can make 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 that reminds people of burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to phone 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 another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make it easily detectable.
As stated previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services straight away.
Your AC Smells Like Fish
If your air conditioner smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that can be 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 stuck within 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 fix the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be numerous reasons a home's AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If 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 exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are looking to upgrade, TopTec can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Libertyville.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
An additional possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your house.
Strange Smell Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at TopTec
If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at TopTec. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems throughout the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Libertyville!