When your air conditioner is clean and operating properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Branchville.
Here are six of the top 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, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You might also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are typically a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four Hints You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Besides 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 on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- High utility costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. Your cooling specialist will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest 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 good probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us about this issue frequently mention 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 linked to a filthy 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 areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as excess 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 caused by several issues, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, call Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. at 862-345-6896.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re noticing 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 needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be inspected immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 862-345-6896 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing within 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 wellness. That’s why you should have a specialist like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Fast
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, contact us at 862-345-6896. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.
