When your air conditioner is clean and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Plover.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can resolve 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 good sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents 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 break out over time.
Four signs you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house cold or achieving your set temperature.
- High electrical expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Point Heating & Cooling. Your cooling pro will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total 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 before 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, 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 possibly 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 warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us regarding this problem frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently 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 locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Point Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since standing water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several issues, like:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect 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 problem, call Point Heating & Cooling at 715-504-0533.
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 a number of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected immediately to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 715-504-0533 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a professional like Point Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 715-504-0533. We’ll determine the problem quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.