When your air conditioner is clean and running correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Savage.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical scent, isn’t a positive sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are typically a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
4 Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home comfortable or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to schedule 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 good chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Call your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us to report this situation often 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 caused by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because standing water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several issues, like:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check 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 solve the smell, reach Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning at 952-373-0377.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and reach us at 952-373-0377 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing inside 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 well-being. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 952-373-0377. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.