When your air conditioner is fresh and working correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Dundas and Northfield.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a good sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cold or achieving your desired temperature.
- Higher utility expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Better Air. Your cooling professional will find and repair 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 exact 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, there’s a good chance it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be significantly 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 significant likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us regarding this situation usually 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 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 often seen in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Better Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several situations, like:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Check 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 fix the issue, contact Better Air at 507-663-1208.
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 a couple of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be examined immediately to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, shut it off and contact us at 507-663-1208 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold present within 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 you should have a professional like Better Air check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 507-663-1208. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.