Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or funky smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner could lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on what you're smelling, the root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are even indicative of a hazardous situation, including a natural gas leak.

At True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something weird coming from your air conditioner, there's a good chance our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Chatsworth.

What does a certain smell wafting from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few common air conditioner odors and what they might mean:

The Air Conditioning 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 builds 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 potential explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To solve this issue, 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 replace the air filter regularly to provide good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning unit 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 recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak can be very dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to air out the area, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.

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

Annual air conditioning maintenance from True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning can help avoid both of these situations, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

One of the most distressing 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 due to a variety of factors. One potential cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the your cooling 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 create a foul odor that is like urine.

Another feasible cause of the smell could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away correctly, but if the drain line becomes stopped up by debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that can stink like urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

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

Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the unit. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and emit a smell like burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to call a professional right away.

Your AC Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioning smells like gas, it could be due to 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 a smell is added to natural gas to make it easily detectable.

As mentioned earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and calls for 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 contact your gas company or emergency services straight away.

Your AC Smells Like Fish

If your AC smell like fish, this could be a sign of 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 foul odor that can be 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 stuck in the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.

To correct the issue, it's often necessary to have a professional examine and clean your HVAC system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

Your AC Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons a home's AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could 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 important to have a skilled mechanic look at and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Chatsworth.

Your AC Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be caused by a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that some people describe 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 components inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your residence.

Weird Smells Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, reach out to the cooling specialists at True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed countless air conditioning problems through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Chatsworth!