When your air conditioner is fresh and operating right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service completed recently, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Plover.
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, especially a chemical odor, it isn’t a good sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the strange smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cool or achieving your set temperature.
- Increasing electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Point Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will find and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this problem frequently mention 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 frequently linked to 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 often seen in climates where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Point Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since standing water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be caused by several problems, like:
- A clogged 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 replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the smell, contact Point Heating & Cooling at 715-504-0533.
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 number of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical problems should be inspected quickly to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and contact us at 715-504-0533 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold present inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a professional like Point Heating & Cooling look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your residence 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 figure out the problem quickly and take care of it at a fair price.