When your air conditioner is clean and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Newton.
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, especially a chemical scent, isn’t a positive sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
4 Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- Increasing electrical costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Brookwood Inc. Your cooling technician will locate and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. 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 Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us about this problem often mention 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 common in climates where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Brookwood Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since standing water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several situations, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the smell, reach Brookwood Inc at 641-316-9803.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re experiencing an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked immediately to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at 641-316-9803 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold present inside 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Brookwood Inc check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 641-316-9803. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.