Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts spewing strange or unappealing smells, 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 could lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the root of the problem 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 sign of a hazardous scenario, such as a natural gas leak.

At Solar Air Inc., we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Fort Lauderdale.

What does a certain smell wafting from your AC mean? Here are several typical air conditioner smells and what they might mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it may be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is beneficial to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another possible cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.

To solve this problem, 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 formation of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioner stinks like rotten eggs, it could be the result 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 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 ventilate the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside a cooling system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.

Another possible explanation for the smell might be a soiled air filter. When 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 Solar Air Inc. can help prevent both of these situations, 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 undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.

If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that it similar to urine.

Another possible cause of the stink 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 filled 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.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning unit smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After some time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets stuck in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.

If you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to contact 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 your home. Natural gas has a recognizable aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires 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 call your gas company or emergency services straight 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 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 cause a smell like dirty feet.

Another possible 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 gets trapped inside the unit and dies.

To fix the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling 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 multiple reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. A second likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.

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

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

Your AC Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioner, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

One other possible source of the smell could be something wrong with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you suspect 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Solar Air Inc.

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