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

When your air conditioner starts putting out unusual or gross odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may 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. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a hazardous situation, like a natural gas leak.

At Solar Air Inc., we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, chances are our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Fort Lauderdale.

What does a certain smell coming 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 due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.

Another likely reason for the stench of dirty feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.

To fix 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 regularly to provide good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it might be the result of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak is extraordinarily 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.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your AC smells like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.

Another possible explanation for the smell could be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.

Annual air conditioning maintenance from Solar Air Inc. can help avoid both of these situations, 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 undesirable things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.

Another feasible cause of the stink could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern 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 root cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and emit a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to contact a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas

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

As stated earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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, evacuate the building and phone your gas company or emergency services right away.

My Air Conditioner 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 causes an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.

Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within the air conditioning system. This often can happen 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 HVAC system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

Your AC Smells Like Vinegar

There could be several reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell may 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 essential to have a skilled mechanic look at and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any underlying issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.

If you are planning to upgrade, Solar Air Inc. can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Fort Lauderdale.

The Air Conditioning 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 scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

One other 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 believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.

Weird Smells Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Solar Air Inc.

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Solar Air Inc.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Fort Lauderdale!