If Your Air Conditioner Smells, Here's How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts emitting unusual or funky odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system could lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous situation, including a natural gas leak.

At McFadden Heating & Cooling, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something odd coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of talented professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Dresden.

What does a certain smell billowing coming from your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet

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

Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To solve 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 change the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it may 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 extremely dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it could 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 explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Regular air conditioning maintenance from McFadden Heating & Cooling can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system working at its best!

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

One of the most distressing scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like 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 in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another potential 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 collect inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, this could indicate an electrical problem with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements 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 stuck in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.

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

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services straight away.

The Air Conditioning 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 fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within 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 solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to find 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 several reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. A second possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled mechanic inspect 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 identify and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the tech can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, McFadden Heating & Cooling can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Dresden.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from 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 cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut down your air conditioning system right away 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 Cooling? Contact the Experts at McFadden Heating & Cooling

If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling professionals at McFadden Heating & Cooling. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning problems through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Dresden!