When your air conditioner is spotless and operating properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Seymour.
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 great sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four Clues You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house comfortable or having your set temperature.
- Increasing energy bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will locate and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long 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 manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to consider 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 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 detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us about this issue usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in locations where you use 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 regularly replace your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several issues, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect 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 solve the issue, call Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning at 920-833-7967.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 920-833-7967 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold growing inside 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 wellness. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 920-833-7967. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and resolve it at a fair price.