When your air conditioner is fresh and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Circleville.
Here are six of the top 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 good sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four signs you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or achieving your set temperature.
- Higher electrical expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually 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, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this situation frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically created by 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 often seen in areas where you use 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 routine air conditioning maintenance with Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several problems, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling at 740-474-5940.
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 number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be examined immediately to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and reach us at 740-474-5940 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a specialist like Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 740-474-5940. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.