When your air conditioner starts putting out weird or gross odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Disregarding 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 smell, the culprit could be bacteria or fungus in the system. In other cases, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of a harmful problem, including a natural gas leak.

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

What does a particular smell wafting from your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner odors and what they might mean:

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet

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

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

To fix 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 exchange the air filter on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it could be because of 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 can be extremely dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to allow gas to escape 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 air conditioner is giving off an odor like mildew, it might be due to a collection 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 could be a clogged air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.

Routine air conditioning maintenance from AC Sales can help avoid both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system working at its best!

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

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

If your air conditioner stinks like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely 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 damp environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that resembles urine.

Another possible cause of the scent of urine could be a clogged drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and accumulate inside the unit. This can produce a musty smell that resembles urine.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. After a while, the electrical components in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.

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

Your AC Smells Like Gas

If your air conditioner 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 distinct smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As mentioned before, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and requires immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

When your air conditioner smell like fish, it could be due to a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture produces an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a disgusting 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 stuck inside 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 solve the issue, it's worthwhile 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.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons your AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a plugged air filter. Another possible cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled tech examine 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 should be replaced.

If you are planning to upgrade, AC Sales can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, expert air conditioner installation in Lafayette.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning unit, 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.

Another possible source of the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or elements inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to shut off your air conditioning system as soon as possible 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 residence.

A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at AC Sales

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, call the cooling experts at AC Sales. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles over the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Lafayette!