Air conditioner issues can be determined by smells and sounds. A smelly AC may indicate mildew, mold, refrigerant leaks, and ever overheating with the smell of burning plastic. If the AC smells like urine, the odor is also an indicator of a continue issue within the AC.

Burning smell coming from your unit quickly tells you something is overheating and burning in your air conditioner unit. Anyway, you may be happy to know that urine smells don’t mechanically mean there is urine in your AC. Most likely, the causes of pee smell comes from mold, bacteria, or mildew that emits the odor.

What are the common causes of AC smell?

Here are a few general AC aromas and what they could mean:

Your AC smells like feet

If your AC smells like feet, it could be due to build up of fungus or bacteria in the system. When moisture builds within the unit, it can create an atmosphere that is beneficial to the growth of fungus and bacteria. This can generate a bad smell that is generally described as smelling like feet.

Another possible cause of the stench of dirty feet might be a bad air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dust, dirt and other particles, it can outcome in poor air standard and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To fix the problem, it is vital to have a standard service tech inspect and clean your air AC system, including a drain pan, evaporator coil, and condensate drain line. It is also vital to change the air filter routinely to give best standard and protect against the growth of fungus and bacteria.

The AC smells like mildew

If your air condition emits a smell like mildew, it may be due to collection of moisture within the unit. When moisture forms inside the AC system, it can cultivate the growth of mildew and mold. This can cause a musty smell that bears a resemblance to mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a bad air filter. If the air filter becomes blocked, it can cause bad air standard and a musty smell that is similar to mildew.

AC smells like rotten eggs

If your AC equipment smells like rotten eggs, it might be because of natural gas leak in the unit or in the neighboring area. Natural gas has a distinctive smell, generally described as smelling like sulfur or rotten eggs, which are because of a substance included to it, make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak can be amazingly risky and needs quick attention.  If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your AC system, quickly open doors and windows to air out of the area, get every person out of the building and call your gas firm or emergency service quickly.

The AC smells like urine

One of the worst scenarios is when an AC smells like urine.

If your AC smells like urine, it could be caused by different factors. One potential cause is a collection of mold or bacteria in your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist atmosphere that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can create foul smell that some people describer as smelling like urine.

To effectively address the problem, it is important to identify the source of the smell. This can be achieved by using the Arkfeld pro UV light, a specialized tool designed to detect and highlight areas where bacteria, mold, urine or other substances may be present.

Your AC smells like gas

If your AC smells like gas, there could be a natural gas leak in the unit. Natural gas has a recognizable smell, generally as smelling similar to sulfur and rotten eggs. That is because a smell is incorporated into natural gas to make it simply detectable.

A natural gas leak can be very risky and calls for quick attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your AC system, open doors and windows air out the home, leave the building call your gas firm or emergency services right away.

AC smells like vinegar

There could be different reasons a home AC system smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a plugged air filter. A second possible cause of the smell may be refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can produce a chemical smell that is described as smelling of vinegar.

To fix the problem, it is vital to have a skilled mechanical examine and clean your AC. If the odor lingers after the cleaning and exchanging the air filter, it is top to reach back out to a professional and identify and repair any persistent problems with AC.

AC smells like fish

If your air conditioner smells like fish, you may have a condition where there is a buildup of mold or bacteria in the unit. Moisture causes an atmosphere that fosters the growth of mold and bacteria. This can cause a disgusting smell that is generally described as smelling like fish, it also can outcome in a smell like a dirty feet.

Another credible explanation for the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught in the AC. This generally is possible if an animal such as bird or mouse trapped inside the unit and dies.

AC smells like chemicals

If the smells of chemicals is emitting out of your AC unit, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In a condition where the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that people sometimes explain as something like paint thinner or chemicals, acetone or vinegar.

An extra possible cause of the smell could be something wrong with the hardware or electrical wiring inside the AC system. This can produce a burning smell that resembles chemicals or plastic burning.

If you think your system has an electrical issue or refrigerant leak, it is vital to turn off your AC system quickly and contact an expert to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be risky and may need quick attention to protect against injury or damage to your residence.