When your air conditioner is spotless and running correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled recently, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Huntsville.
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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Clues You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues that you have 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 home cold or achieving your desired temperature.
- High energy bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled support from a heating and cooling company like All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Your cooling technician will locate and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to repair.
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 produced due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to consider 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 high likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your house. 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 advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us regarding this situation often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by 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 transitioning to cooling later on.
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 All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing water can also result in nasty 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 problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Inspect 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 solve the issue, call All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc at 256-801-4701.
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 a number of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be examined immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at 256-801-4701 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could 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 well-being. That’s why we recommend having a professional like All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Take Care 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 seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 256-801-4701. We’ll determine the issue quickly and take care of it at a fair price.