When your air conditioner starts spewing weird or funky odors, it is a good idea to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Dismissing unpleasant smells coming from your cooling system may lead to additional damage to your HVAC system or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on the smell, the root of the problem could be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a harmful scenario, like a natural gas leak.

At Air Current AC & Heat, 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 our reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Houston.

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

Your AC Smells Like Feet

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

Another potential reason for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other particles, it can cause substandard air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To fix this dilemma, it's important to have a professional inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It's also important to replace the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and protect against the development of bacteria and fungus.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it may be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive 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 very 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services immediately.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Mildew

If your AC smells like mildew, it may 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 might be a clogged air filter. Once 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 Air Current AC & Heat can help avoid both of these issues, 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 undesirable scenarios is when an air conditioner smells like urine.

If your air conditioning equipment smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One likely cause is a collection of bacteria or mold in the air conditioning system. This can happen if moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that favorable for bacterial growth. The bacteria can create a foul odor that it similar to urine.

Another feasible 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 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.

Your AC Smells Like Burning Plastic

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

Another possible reason for the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the the air conditioner. 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 think you smell burning plastic coming from your cooling system, it’s worthwhile to phone a professional right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas

If your AC smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because an odor is put into natural gas to make it easily detectable.

As we said earlier, a natural gas leak can be VERY hazardous and calls for immediate attention. Should 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 right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish

If your air conditioning equipment 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 foul odor that is often 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 inside the air conditioning system. This often can happen if an animal such as a mouse or bird becomes trapped inside the unit and dies.

To fix the issue, it's important to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They should be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

Your AC Smells Like Vinegar

There could be several reasons a home's air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause of the smell could be a dirty air filter. A second 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 beneficial to have a skilled specialist examine and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor lingers after the cleaning and replacing 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning needs to be replaced.

If you are looking to upgrade, Air Current AC & Heat can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We offer dependable, skilled air conditioner installation in Houston.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is emitting out of your air conditioning unit, it could be the result of 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.

An additional possible source of the smell could be problems with the electrical wiring or parts inside the air conditioning system. This can cause a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you think your system has a refrigerant leak or an electrical issue, it's important to turn off your air conditioning system right away 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.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your AC? Call the Pros at Air Current AC & Heat

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