When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Peculiar air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Narvon.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can fix them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
Four Clues You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or achieving your desired temperature.
- Higher utility expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Ameri-Tec. Your cooling professional will find and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise 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 before 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to do air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high chance 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 toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us to report this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often 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 climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Ameri-Tec. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several issues, like:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, reach Ameri-Tec at 717-479-4950.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be checked quickly to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and contact us at 717-479-4950 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold present in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a pro like Ameri-Tec look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of 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 need relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 717-479-4950. We’ll determine the issue quickly and take care of it at a competitive.