When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Athol.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can solve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically a chemical scent, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are often a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house cold or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually 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 needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly 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 possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this issue frequently say 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 caused by a dirty 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 areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several problems, including:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, contact Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling at 208-561-1226.
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 a couple of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical issues should be examined right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and call us at 208-561-1226 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold growing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 208-561-1226. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.
