When your air conditioner is spotless and running correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in South Beloit and Belvidere.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can resolve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, particularly a chemical odor, 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 typically a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs 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 strange smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house cool or having your set temperature.
- Higher energy costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us to report this situation 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 usually caused by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation 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 later on.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might 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 Fix It
Check 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 resolve the smell, call Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc at 877-389-2465.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be checked right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and contact us at 877-389-2465 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold growing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a professional like Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc check 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 need relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 877-389-2465. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a competitive.
