When your air conditioner is clean and operating correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service completed lately, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Swanton.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a good sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
Four Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the strange smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cold or having your desired temperature.
- Increasing utility expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Northwest Services. Your cooling professional will locate and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to do 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 significant likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us to report this issue frequently mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Northwest Services. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because standing water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several issues, including:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, reach Northwest Services at 419-548-5017.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re noticing 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 trouble.
Electrical issues should be examined quickly to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and reach us at 419-548-5017 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a specialist like Northwest Services check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 419-548-5017. We’ll determine the issue quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.