When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Mount Horeb.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, specifically a chemical scent, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are regularly a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four clues you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like JW Brager Heating and Cooling. Your cooling pro will find and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long 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 produced due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest 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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us to report this situation frequently mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created 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 often seen in climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with JW Brager Heating and Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as excess water can also create 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 caused by several situations, like:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, call JW Brager Heating and Cooling at 608-447-0555.
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 needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be inspected quickly to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, shut it off and contact us at 608-447-0555 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering 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 creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like JW Brager Heating and Cooling examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 608-447-0555. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and resolve it at a fair price.