When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or unappealing odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioner may lead to further damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the cause of the odor, the cause could be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe scenario, like a natural gas leak.

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

What does a particular smell billowing out of your air conditioning mean? Here are some common air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:

The Air Conditioning 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 establish an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a nasty odor that is often described as smelling like feet.

Another likely cause of the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To fix this unpleasant situation, 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 on a regular basis to ensure good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your reeks of rotten eggs, it might be the result of 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 extraordinarily 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 right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside an air conditioner, it can cultivate the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that resembles mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.

Routine air conditioning maintenance from Watts Electric & AC can help prevent both of these issues, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system running at its best!

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Urine

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

If your air conditioning equipment reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

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

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic

If your air conditioner 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 malfunction, which can create a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning 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 distinct aroma, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

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

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

If your AC 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 strong odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught inside the air conditioning system. This often can take place if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.

To solve the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional examine and clean your air conditioning system. They can identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a dirty air filter. One other potential cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can generate a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's essential to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor persists after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to identify 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 wanting to upgrade, Watts Electric & AC can help find the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Columbia.

Your AC 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 aroma that is often described as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

One other 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 suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to shut down 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.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Watts Electric & AC

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, call the cooling professionals at Watts Electric & AC. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of AC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning problems through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Columbia!