When your air conditioner is clean and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance done recently, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Brookfield.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can solve 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 great sign. You could also notice 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 suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
Four hints you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cool or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Increasing electrical expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Central Air LLC. Your cooling professional will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 good 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, as the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this problem often share 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 usually caused by 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 common 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 method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Central Air LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, like:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair 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, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, contact Central Air LLC at 203-357-5913.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical issues should be checked immediately to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 203-357-5913 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing 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 Central Air LLC check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 203-357-5913. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.