When your air conditioner is fresh and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had service scheduled recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Justin.
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, especially a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home comfortable or reaching your desired temperature.
- High energy costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Pepper AC & Heat. Your cooling professional will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, 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 probably 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 warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us regarding this issue usually say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually linked to a dirty 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 often seen in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Pepper AC & Heat. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one 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, reach Pepper AC & Heat at 940-202-1184.
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 several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical problems should be checked quickly to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, shut it off and reach us at 940-202-1184 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold present in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Pepper AC & Heat examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 940-202-1184. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a reasonable.
