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

When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system can lead to further damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the culprit might be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a warning of a hazardous situation, like a natural gas leak.

At Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C., 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 specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Rio Grande Valley.

What does a certain smell billowing from your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could 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 spread of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another possible reason for an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.

To correct 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 exchange the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it may be caused by a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a unique 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 a situation that is 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 right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

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

Another possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can cause poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Regular air conditioning maintenance from Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. can help prevent both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

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

If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a plugged 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 accumulate inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical problem with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.

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

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive aroma, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and calls for 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 as soon as possible.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

Should your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can create a smell like dirty feet.

Another plausible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught in 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 fix the issue, it's often necessary 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 keep the problem from recurring.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons an air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. Another potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's important to have a skilled specialist look at and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers after the cleaning and changing 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Rio Grande Valley.

Your AC Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be due to 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.

Another possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 dangerous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your home.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C.

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling experts at Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C.. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Rio Grande Valley!