When your air conditioner is fresh and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Plover.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 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 hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four hints you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Point Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will locate and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing 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 many hours it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to schedule air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high chance 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 toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us to report this issue frequently share 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 usually created by a grubby 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 areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Point Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because stagnant water can also lead to nasty 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 prompted by several issues, including:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check 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 smell, reach 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 couple of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and call us at 715-504-0533 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold present within 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 wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Point Heating & Cooling look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 715-504-0533. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.