When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint 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 skilled air conditioning repair in Huntsville.
Here are six of the most common 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, specifically a chemical scent, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are regularly a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
Four Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cold or having your desired temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced support from a heating and cooling company like All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Your cooling technician will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us about this situation often mention 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 usually linked to a filthy 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 need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several situations, like:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, reach All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc at 256-801-4701.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 256-801-4701 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading in 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 we recommend having a specialist like All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 256-801-4701. We’ll determine the problem quickly and resolve it at a fair price.