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 conditioner could 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 culprit 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 warning of a dangerous situation, such as a natural gas leak.

At Kapaun & Brown, we are experienced at getting to the root cause of stinky smells. If you smell something weird coming from your AC, you can bet that our team of talented specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned the reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Marshalltown.

What does a particular smell coming coming from your AC mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner odors and what they may mean:

Your AC Smells Like Feet

If your air conditioner smells like feet, it could be caused by a buildup of bacteria or fungus inside of it. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is favorable to the development of bacteria and fungus. This can produce a foul odor that is often described as smelling like dirty feet.

Another possible cause of an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other debris, it can cause low air quality and a musty smell that it similar to the smell of feet.

To solve this unpleasant situation, 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 change the air filter on a regular basis to promote good air quality and protect against the growth of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner 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 recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is 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 immediately.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.

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

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

Your AC Smells Like Urine

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

If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One potential cause is a collection 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 favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a blocked 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 produce a musty smell that can stink like urine.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

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

Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the unit. If something foreign gets trapped in the air conditioning system, it can become hot and result in a smell like burning plastic.

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s essential to contact a professional right away.

Your AC Smells Like Gas

If your AC smells like gas, it could be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is incorporated into natural gas so that it is easily detectable.

As we said previously, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous 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 straight away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish

Should 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 disgusting odor that is sometimes described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in 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 happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird gets trapped inside the unit and dies.

To solve the issue, it's important to have a professional inspect and clean your cooling system. They can 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 multiple reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a clogged air filter. One other likely cause of the smell could be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after 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 identify 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 planning to upgrade, Kapaun & Brown can help find the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Marshalltown.

Your AC Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

An additional possible reason for the smell could be an issue with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that it similar to chemicals or burning plastic.

If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it's important to turn off your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be dangerous and may require immediate attention to prevent injury or damage to your home.

Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Kapaun & Brown

If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it smoothly on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Kapaun & Brown. We have lots of experience working with a wide variety of cooling systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning concerns through the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Marshalltown!