When your air conditioner starts spewing unusual or funky smells, it is important to take notice because it could be a sign of a significant problem. Ignoring unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning may lead to serious damage to your AC or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on the cause of the odor, the root of the problem might be bacteria or fungus in the system. On the other hand, it could also sign something mechanically wrong with the air conditioning system. Some smells are even indicative of an unsafe scenario, such as a natural gas leak.
At Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning, 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 specialists has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the premier company for air conditioning repair in Streamwood.
What does a particular smell coming out of your cooling system mean? Here are a few typical air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it might be because of a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the unit. When moisture collects inside the unit, it can create an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like stinky feet.
Another possible reason for an odor of stinky feet could be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes choked with dirt, dust and other debris, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles feet.
To fix this problem, 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 regularly to ensure good air quality and prevent the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it might be caused by 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 is 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 at once.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Mildew
If your AC smells like mildew, it could be due to a collection of moisture inside the unit. When moisture collects inside the air conditioning system, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty stench that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter becomes clogged, it can result in poor air quality and