When your air conditioner is fresh and working correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service scheduled within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Monroe.
Here are six of the top 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 odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You might also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
- Increasing utility expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace. Your cooling technician will locate and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually 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 long it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 high likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this problem frequently say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically caused by 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 often seen in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Lanz Furnace and Fireplace. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because excess water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, reach Lanz Furnace and Fireplace at 608-291-3606.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re noticing an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be a number of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 608-291-3606 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold growing in 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 it’s important to have a pro like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
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 noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 608-291-3606. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.
