When your air conditioner is fresh and operating properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Peculiar air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed lately, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Genoa.
Here are six of the most common 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, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a good sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically 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 over time.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
- High energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Assured Appliance & Heating & Air. Your cooling professional will find and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to do 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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us to report this situation usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by 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 typical in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Assured Appliance & Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since excess water can also create nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked 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 solve the issue, contact Assured Appliance & Heating & Air at 847-306-8990.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical problems should be examined immediately to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and contact us at 847-306-8990 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing 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 it’s important to have a pro like Assured Appliance & Heating & Air examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfy in your home 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 847-306-8990. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a competitive.
