When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to additional damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also indicate something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe situation, including a natural gas leak.

At Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something peculiar coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Wyandotte.

What does a specific odor coming out of your AC mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

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

Another likely explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause 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 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 on a regular basis to promote good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it may be caused by 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 because of a substance added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak is a situation that 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, get everyone out of the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that it similar to mildew.

Another possible cause of the smell might 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 Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning can help protect against both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a very good way to keep your system operating at its best!

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine

One of the most undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.

If your air conditioning stinks like urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can produce a foul odor that resembles 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 properly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by 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.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioner smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical concern 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 cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot 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 call 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 like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and calls for immediate attention. Should you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish

Should your air conditioning equipment smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s 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 disgusting odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in 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 solve the issue, it’s important to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. Another likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s essential 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 diagnose and repair any persistent issues with your air conditioning. Or, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.

If you are planning to upgrade, Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning can help locate the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Wyandotte.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

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

An additional possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to turn 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 avoid injury or damage to your home.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning

If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, contact the cooling specialists at Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles through the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Wyandotte!