When your air conditioner is spotless and running right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had a tune-up done within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Brookfield.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, particularly a chemical scent, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cold or reaching your set temperature.
- High utility expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Central Air LLC. Your cooling pro will find and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest 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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. 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 Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us to report this problem usually 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 typically 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 transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Central Air LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several issues, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve 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 resolve the smell, reach Central Air LLC at 203-357-5913.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re dealing with an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be examined quickly to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and call us at 203-357-5913 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Central Air LLC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 203-357-5913. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and resolve it at a fair price.