When your air conditioner is clean and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Huntingburg.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cold or having your set temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Dearing's Service & Solutions. Your cooling specialist will locate and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 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, since the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us to report this problem frequently mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically linked to a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture 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 turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Dearing's Service & Solutions. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because stagnant water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several situations, including:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Check 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, reach Dearing's Service & Solutions at 812-200-5844.
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 a couple of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be inspected right away to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and reach us at 812-200-5844 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold growing within 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 it’s important to have a professional like Dearing's Service & Solutions look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 812-200-5844. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and resolve it at a fair price.