When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or funky odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a big problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning could lead to further damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.

Depending on what you're smelling, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are a sign of a harmful problem, like a natural gas leak.

At Everest Heating & Cooling, we are skilled at diagnosing and fixing these type of problems. 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 the reputation as the go-to team for air conditioning repair in Kansas City, MO and Lansing, KS .

What does a particular smell coming coming from your cooling system mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they could mean:

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet

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

Another potential cause of the smell might be a dirty air filter. If an air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other contaminants, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.

To correct this unpleasant situation, 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 regularly to ensure good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.

Your AC Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your air conditioning equipment stinks like rotten eggs, it might 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, that is added to it to make it easily detectable.

A natural gas leak 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, evacuate the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

Your AC Smells Like Mildew

If your cooling system smells like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture accumulates inside the air conditioning system, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that resembles mildew.

Another possible reason for the smell could be a soiled air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and a musty smell that has a resemblance to mildew.

Routine air conditioning maintenance from Everest Heating & Cooling can help prevent 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 your AC smells like urine.

If your air conditioner reeks of urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your cooling system. This can happen when moisture accumulates in the system and creates a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.

Another potential cause of the smell 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 clogged with 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 AC smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical concern with the unit. After a while, the electrical parts in the air conditioning system can wear out or malfunction, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a foreign object lodged in the HVAC system. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can get hot and cause a smell similar to burning plastic.

If you think you smell burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s worthwhile to call a professional right away.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas

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

As we said before, a natural gas leak can be VERY dangerous and needs 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 call your gas company or emergency services right away.

The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish

When 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 creates 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 create a smell like dirty feet.

Another possible cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material trapped within 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 solve the issue, it's important to have a professional check out and clean your cooling system. They will be able to find the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and prevent the problem from recurring.

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

There could be multiple reasons your air conditioning system smells like vinegar. One possible cause might be a plugged air filter. A second 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 essential to have a skilled tech inspect and clean your air conditioning.  If the odor persists after the cleaning and replacing 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, they can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.

If you are wanting to upgrade, Everest Heating & Cooling can help select the correct unit to fit your home’s needs. We deliver reliable, professional air conditioner installation in Kansas City, MO and Lansing, KS .

My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If the smell of chemicals is coming from your air conditioning equipment, it could be the result of a refrigerant leak. When 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 cause of the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or components inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.

If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical problem, 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 harmful and may require immediate attention to avoid injury or damage to your house.

A Nasty Odor Coming from Your Cooling? Contact the Experts at Everest Heating & Cooling

If your air conditioner stinks and you aren’t able to fix it simply on your own, reach out to the cooling professionals at Everest Heating & Cooling. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed many air conditioning troubles over the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Kansas City, MO and Lansing, KS !