When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance completed within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Norton.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can solve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are often a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four signs you have a refrigerant leak.
Besides the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- High energy bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like HCE Systems. Your cooling professional will find and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s likely nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us about this issue frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with HCE Systems. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because excess water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several issues, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, contact HCE Systems at 276-302-0076.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re experiencing an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be a number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical problems should be inspected immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and contact us at 276-302-0076 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a professional like HCE Systems look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 276-302-0076. We’ll determine the issue quickly and fix it at a competitive.