When your air conditioner is spotless and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had service scheduled recently, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Troy.
Here are six of the top 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 odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four Hints You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs 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.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- Higher energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Edington Heating & Cooling Inc. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly 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 possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us to report this issue usually share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Edington Heating & Cooling Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since excess water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several problems, like:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, call Edington Heating & Cooling Inc at 937-558-9478.
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 a couple of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be inspected immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at 937-558-9478 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful 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 creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Edington Heating & Cooling Inc look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Take Care 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 need relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 937-558-9478. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
