6 Common Air Conditioner Smells Answered And How To Solve Them
When your air conditioner is clean and operating correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime 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 Lodi.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can resolve them.
Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a good sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing A Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cool or achieving your set temperature.
- High utility costs.
How You Can Take Care Of It?
A refrigerant leak needs experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Tokay Heating & Air. Your cooling technician will find and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often 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 many hours it requires to fix.
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 as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It?
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us to report this situation often say 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 linked to a grubby 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 turning on cooling later in the day.
How To Fix It?
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Tokay Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since standing water can also produce unpleasant odors.
Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several situations, such as:
- A clogged filter.
- Excess condensation.
- Clogged 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, reach Tokay Heating & Air at (209) 257-3156.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor
- Motor that needs lubrication
- Broken fan belt
- Electrical malfunctions
Electrical malfunctions should be checked immediately to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and reach us at (209) 257-3156 immediately.
Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How To Fix It?
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like Tokay Heating & Air look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Take Care Of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at (209) 257-3156. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
