When your air conditioner is fresh and running correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Elk River.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, especially 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 scents are regularly a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cold or having your set temperature.
- High utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Home Comfort Heating & Air. Your cooling specialist will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total 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 good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this situation often mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently linked to 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 areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
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 Home Comfort Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve 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, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, reach Home Comfort Heating & Air at 763-276-0617.
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 problem.
Electrical problems should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and reach us at 763-276-0617 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Home Comfort Heating & Air look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 763-276-0617. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a reasonable.
