When your air conditioner starts emitting weird or unappealing aromas, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to serious damage to your air conditioning 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. Other times, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a warning of an unsafe scenario, like a natural gas leak.

At JTech Mechanical, 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 skilled pros has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned a reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Magnolia.

What does a certain smell billowing out of your cooling system mean? Here are some frequent air conditioner aromas and what they may mean:

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Feet

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

Another possible explanation for the stench of dirty feet might be a dirty air filter. When your HVAC system's air filter becomes filled with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles 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 provide good air quality and protect against the formation of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment reeks of 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, that is 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 allow gas to escape the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services at once.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew

If your air conditioner smells like mildew, it could 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 stench that bears a resemblance to mildew.

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

Annual air conditioning maintenance from JTech Mechanical can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a terrific way to keep your system operating at its best!

Your AC Smells Like Urine

One of the most unpleasant scenarios is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.

If your air conditioner smells like urine, it could could be caused by multiple factors. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that is like urine.

Another possible cause of the scent of urine 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 choked with debris, it can cause water to back up and collect inside the unit. This can produce 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, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can make 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 caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell that reminds people of burning plastic.

If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s important to phone a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning 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 distinctive odor, often described as smelling of rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is incorporated into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.

As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous 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, leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

Your AC 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 produces an environment that fosters 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 result in a smell like dirty feet.

Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped inside 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 fix the issue, it's important to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They can determine the source of the smell and take the proper steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be numerous reasons an AC smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. A second possible cause of the smell could 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 important to have a skilled mechanic examine and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor continues after the cleaning and changing of 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 should be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, JTech Mechanical can help find the ideal unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, expert air conditioner installation in Magnolia.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a situation where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that is like chemicals or burning plastic.

If you believe there is a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, it's important to shut down your air conditioning system as soon as possible and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be harmful and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.

Strange Smell Coming from the Air Conditioning? Call the Pros at JTech Mechanical

If your air conditioner reeks and you aren’t able to fix it quickly on your own, contact the cooling specialists at JTech Mechanical. We have plenty of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Magnolia!