When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Dresden.
Here are six of the most common 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, particularly a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four clues you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with 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 house comfortable or having your set temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like McFadden Heating & Cooling. Your cooling specialist will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often 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 many hours it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very 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 probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert 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 recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us about this situation often say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created 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 common in areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with McFadden Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several issues, like:
- A clogged filter
- Excess 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, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, reach McFadden Heating & Cooling at 519-683-2339.
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 several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at 519-683-2339 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like McFadden Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 519-683-2339. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
