When your air conditioner is spotless and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Fredericksburg.
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, particularly a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are typically a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four hints you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing 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 house comfortable or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Childress Heating & AC. Your cooling specialist will locate and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per 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 fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest 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 house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this problem often report 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 created by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Childress Heating & AC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as excess water can also lead to 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 issues, including:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, contact Childress Heating & AC at 540-675-4306.
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 several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and reach us at 540-675-4306 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering 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 creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a professional like Childress Heating & AC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 540-675-4306. We’ll determine the problem quickly and take care of it at a fair price.