When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance completed lately, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in West Jefferson.
Here are six of the most common 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 odor, it isn’t a great sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four hints you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional support from a heating and cooling company like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.. Your cooling technician 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 put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to schedule 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 house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us regarding this situation 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 frequently linked to a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most often seen in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because excess water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several situations, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, contact West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. at 614-879-9091.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re dealing with an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be inspected quickly to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, shut it off and reach us at 614-879-9091 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading inside 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 well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 614-879-9091. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and resolve it at a competitive.