Six Common Air Conditioner Smells Explained And How To Repair Them
When your air conditioner is fresh and running correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Lodi.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can repair 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 might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four clues you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence comfortable or reaching your desired temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Take Care Of It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Tokay. Your cooling professional will locate and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high 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 advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us about this problem usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. 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 locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How To Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Tokay. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because standing water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several problems, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How To Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, reach Tokay at (209) 257-3156.
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 should have lubrication.
Broken fan belt.
Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be checked quickly to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and reach us at (209) 257-3156 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How To Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Tokay examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Strange 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, contact us at (209) 257-3156. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
