When your air conditioner is clean and working properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Norton.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, particularly 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 odors are often a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four signs you are experiencing 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 cooling.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced support from a heating and cooling company like HCE Systems. Your cooling pro will locate and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to do air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this problem usually 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 filthy 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 often seen in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with HCE Systems. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several issues, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, 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 couple of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical issues should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and call us at 276-302-0076 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why we recommend having a professional like HCE Systems look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 276-302-0076. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and resolve it at a fair price.