When your air conditioner is spotless and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Plover.
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 might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house cold or reaching your desired temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Point Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total 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 earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 significant chance 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 deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us to report this problem frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture 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 turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently 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, because stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several situations, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged 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 fix the smell, 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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be checked right away to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and contact us at 715-504-0533 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing 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 wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Point Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate 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 looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 715-504-0533. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.