When your air conditioner is fresh and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a sure 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 smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the odd smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house cold or reaching your set temperature.
- Higher utility expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Central Air LLC. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often 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 much time it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to schedule 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 significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us regarding this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically linked to 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 common in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Central Air LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as stagnant water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several situations, like:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, contact 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 a number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical issues should be inspected right away to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and reach us at 203-357-5913 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Central Air LLC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals 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 stinky air conditioner, contact us at 203-357-5913. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and fix it at a fair price.