3 Reasons Your Window Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine (And How To Fix It!) -

The smell of urine can be potent and unpleasant.

While most homeowners are going to search for a puddle of pee somewhere in the house, this is not always the reason for such a smell spreading everywhere. Instead, it has more to do with the air conditioner.

You will want to figure out why your window air conditioner smells like urine.

A window air conditioner can smell like urine because mold has developed inside the unit. This can include a dirty filter and/or any other component that has excess moisture. If left untouched, the mold will spread causing the smell to become increasingly potent.

It’s essential to use a mold remover to get rid of the problem and make sure to change the filter often. Letting it stay dirty is a common mistake and one you will want to avoid at all costs.

This article is going to help take a look at why your window air conditioner smells like urine and what to do about it.

Table of Contents

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Reasons Why Your Window Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine

1. Mold In The Unit

The most common reason has to do with mold.

When the air conditioner begins to age, the moisture may be going to sit in the filter or the wrong spot. When this happens, the air conditioner won’t have an underlying mechanism to clean the moisture.

Due to this, the moisture is going to become the root cause of mold in the unit.

It’s important to take the time to go through these details one by one. You will want to look at all of the components inside the unit to get a better read on where the mold is.

Recommended Solution

The ideal option for removing mold in a window air conditioner is to use a mold remover and clean the target area.

It’s also recommended to change the component especially if it is a filter. This will ensure you can begin with a fresh start and not have to worry about the filter underperforming due to the mold.

window air conditioner smells like urine

2. Dirty Filter

In some cases, it is going to be nothing more than a dirty filter.

Dirty filters are possible if you are not taking the time to change them. Your goal should be to change the AC filter at least once a year to make sure it’s in working condition. This frequency can increase if the air conditioner is older.

The goal is to avoid a situation where pollutants and/or moisture are settling on the surface of the filter.

This is dangerous and it will cause the smell of urine to spread everywhere. If your air conditioner smells like pee then it’s time to look at the filter first.

Recommended Solution

The solution for a dirty filter is simple.

You will want to inspect the filter, see how dirty it is, and then replace it. Make sure to use the right type of filter otherwise, the improper fit will create issues down the road.

Look into this in great detail and make sure you are careful about what you are doing. Also, set up a schedule for changing the AC filter regularly. This will prevent a dirty filter from ever being a problem again.

3. Pest Droppings

This is rare but it is something you will want to account for as a homeowner.

The idea is to see whether or not pests are spreading around the AC or inside the house. This can also create an issue where the smell of urine becomes potent.

An air conditioner that smells like urine might have droppings inside as the pests spread around the unit.

Recommended Solution

The best option for this is to consult with a pest removal service.

You have to nip the problem in the bud by removing the pests. This is the most important step in the process and the first thing you should be on the lookout for.

If you remove the pests, you are going to have a much easier time with the pest droppings. They will be gone with the pests.

Final Thoughts

These are the main reasons your window air conditioner smells like urine.

A window air conditioner might smell like urine because of mold developing inside the unit. It’s also possible the filter is dirty or there are pest droppings to take care of.

These are the most important details to think about when your air conditioner smells like pee and you don’t know what is causing the problem.

Be patient with the process and make sure you are as careful as you need to be.

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