Why Your Air Conditioner Smells and How to Fix It

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

Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause might 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 a hazardous scenario, including a natural gas leak.

At Ohler & Holzhauer Inc., we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. If you smell something odd coming from your air conditioner, chances are our team of qualified pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Port Clinton.

What does a certain smell billowing from your air conditioning mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner smells and what they could mean:

The Air Conditioning 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 accumulates inside the unit, it can establish an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another potential cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.

To fix this dilemma, 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 promote good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioner stinks 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, 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.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning 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 may be a soiled air filter. When 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 Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!

My Air Conditioner 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 conditioner 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 in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that is like urine.

Another feasible cause of the scent of urine 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 clogged with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that is sometimes described as smelling of urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your AC smells like burning plastic, a possible cause could be an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can make a burning smell that resembles plastic.

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

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s important 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 the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling of 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 earlier, 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, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services right away.

Your AC Smells Like Fish

If your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there's a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture creates an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is sometimes 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 trapped inside 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 often necessary to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons an air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. A second potential cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is described as smelling of vinegar.

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

If you are wanting to upgrade, Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. can help locate the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Port Clinton.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

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

One other possible cause of the smell could be a problem 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 problem, it's important to shut 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 avoid injury or damage to your house.

Weird Smells Coming from Your AC? Contact the Experts at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc.

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling experts at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc.. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Port Clinton!