When your air conditioner is clean and operating right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Rockford.
Here are six of the most common 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 observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a clue 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 hints you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence comfortable or having your set temperature.
- High electrical bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to do air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 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, as the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us about 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 typically 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 areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since standing water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several problems, including:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, call Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling at (815) 914-6197.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re dealing with an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be a number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical issues should be examined quickly to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and call us at (815) 914-6197 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at (815) 914-6197. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a competitive.