When your air conditioner is spotless and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Fredericksburg.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can resolve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are often a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Signs 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 on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence comfortable or achieving your set temperature.
- High utility bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Childress Heating & AC. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to schedule 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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us about this situation often mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused 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 areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Childress Heating & AC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine 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 resolve the problem, contact Childress Heating & AC at 540-675-4306.
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 couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be examined immediately to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 540-675-4306 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Childress Heating & AC check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 540-675-4306. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.