When your air conditioner is clean and operating properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service scheduled within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Smyrna.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can fix 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 great sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four hints you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house cold or having your set temperature.
- Increasing energy costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing 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 good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its negative 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 circumstance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this problem frequently say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created by a grubby 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 climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing water can also result in unpleasant 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 caused by several problems, like:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC at 302-653-0503.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined right away to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and contact us at 302-653-0503 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 302-653-0503. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and take care of it at a competitive.