When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may 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 root of the problem may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of an unsafe situation, such as a natural gas leak.

At Stieferman Heating Company Inc, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, there's a good chance our team of skilled specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Jefferson City.

What does a certain smell coming out of your air conditioning mean? Here are several common air conditioner smells and what they may mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is favorable to the spread of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a bad odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.

Another potential cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in substandard air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.

To fix this issue, 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 promote good air quality and restrict the development of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your stinks like rotten eggs, it could be caused by 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 can be 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 at once.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it may be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside an air conditioner, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty odor that bears a resemblance to mildew.

Another possible cause of the smell might be a clogged air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.

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

Your AC Smells Like Urine

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

If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a buildup of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a wet environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like urine.

Another potential cause of the smell 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 filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can generate a musty smell that resembles urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

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

Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object stuck in the the air conditioner. 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 think you smell burning plastic coming from your AC unit, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas

If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinct odor, often described as smelling similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because a smell is added to natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As we said previously, 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 contact your gas company or emergency services right away.

Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Fish

If your air conditioner smell like fish, you may have a situation where there's a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a strong odor that can be described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can cause a smell like dirty feet.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped in 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 correct the issue, it's worthwhile to have a professional check out and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to identify the source of the smell and take the appropriate steps to remove any contaminants and stop the problem from recurring.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons your air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. Another likely cause of the smell might be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is similar to vinegar.

To fix the issue, it's beneficial to have a skilled specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor persists after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it's best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any underlying 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, Stieferman Heating Company Inc can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide trustworthy, expert air conditioner installation in Jefferson City.

Your AC Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical odor that is often described 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 elements inside the air conditioning system. This can produce a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to shut down your air conditioning system immediately and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your home.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Call the Pros at Stieferman Heating Company Inc

If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Stieferman Heating Company Inc. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of HVAC systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including strange smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Jefferson City!