When your air conditioner is spotless and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Paxinos.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 smell, it isn’t a good sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four hints you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house cool or having your desired temperature.
- High energy bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.. Your cooling pro will locate and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to do 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 probability 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 fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us regarding this situation usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by 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 common in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. at 570-648-0748.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and contact us at 570-648-0748 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there might be mold spreading in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a specialist like LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 570-648-0748. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a reasonable.