When your air conditioner starts putting out odd or funky smells, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Dismissing 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 might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous situation, such as a natural gas leak.

At Watts Electric & AC, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, there’s a good chance our team of skilled professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Columbia.

What does a particular smell wafting coming from your AC mean? Here are several frequent air conditioner odors and what they could mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

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

Another possible explanation for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.

To correct this problem, it’s important to have an experienced specialist 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 ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment smells like rotten eggs, it may be due to 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak 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, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it may be due to a buildup of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside a cooling system, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that resembles mildew.

Another possible explanation for the smell may be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.

Annual air conditioning maintenance from Watts Electric & AC can help prevent 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 your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioning reeks of urine, it could be due to a variety of factors. One possible 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 moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another possible 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate 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 system smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell like burning plastic.

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s important to call a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioning smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit or in another part of your home. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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 straight away.

Your AC 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 is conducive to 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 caught inside 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 correct the issue, it’s often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the appropriate 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 conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. Another likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.

To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled specialist inspect 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 underlying 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, Watts Electric & AC can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver trustworthy, skilled air conditioner installation in Columbia.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be the result of 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.

An additional possible cause of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it’s important to turn off your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Watts Electric & AC

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling experts at Watts Electric & AC. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning troubles over the years—including weird smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Columbia!