When your air conditioner is fresh and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance completed within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Heflin.
Here are six of the most common 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 odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues 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 residence cold or having your desired temperature.
- High utility bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Bain Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will find and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact 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 early than 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 probability 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 deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this problem usually say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically 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 locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Bain Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because standing water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be caused by several issues, like:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged 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, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, contact Bain Heating & Air Conditioning at 256-270-1196.
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 number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be inspected quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and reach us at 256-270-1196 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold growing inside 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 professional like Bain Heating & Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 256-270-1196. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
