When your air conditioner is spotless and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had a tune-up done within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in West Jefferson.
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, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Signs You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house cool or achieving your desired temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high 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, as the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us to report this problem frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently linked to 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 typical in climates where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because excess water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, including:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, contact West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. at 614-879-9091.
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 couple of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical issues should be checked right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 614-879-9091 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful 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 produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a specialist like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 614-879-9091. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and take care of it at a competitive.