When your air conditioner is spotless and running correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Genoa.
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 odor, it isn’t a great sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the strange smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cold or reaching your desired temperature.
- Higher energy bills.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Assured Appliance & Heating & Air. Your cooling professional will find and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this situation often mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused 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 typical in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace 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 standing water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several problems, like:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed 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 Assured Appliance & Heating & Air at +1 847-293-0047.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re noticing an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical problems should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and contact us at +1 847-293-0047 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Assured Appliance & Heating & Air look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Take Care 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 need relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at +1 847-293-0047. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and fix it at a fair price.
