When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Big Spring.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can fix them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home comfortable or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like SKC AC LLC. Your cooling technician will find and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on 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 repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 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 damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to do 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 good chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this issue usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to 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 typical in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with SKC AC LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as excess water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t changed 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 SKC AC LLC at 432-203-4881.
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 several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected quickly to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 432-203-4881 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong 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 Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a professional like SKC AC LLC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 432-203-4881. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.