When your air conditioner is clean and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Wyandotte.

Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can fix them.

1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals

If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically a chemical smell, 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 smells are often a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.

Four clues you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.

Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.

  1. Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
  2. Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
  3. Difficulty keeping your home comfortable or having your set temperature.
  4. Higher utility expenses.

How You Can Fix It

A refrigerant leak requires skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling professional will find and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.

Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it needs to solve.

If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, 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 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, since the gas can be deadly in large amounts.

How You Can Solve It

If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:

  • Turning off your gas supply.
  • Opening windows.
  • Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
  • Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.

3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty

Individuals who reach us regarding this problem frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically linked to a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.

How to Solve It

The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because excess water can also produce unpleasant odors.

4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several problems, including:

  • A dirty filter
  • Extra condensation
  • Plugged condensate pan or drain line
  • Moldy air conditioner or ductwork

How to Repair It

Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, call Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning at 734-284-1224.

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 couple of things wrong. These entail:

  • Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
  • Motor that needs lubrication.
  • Broken fan belt.
  • Electrical malfunction.

Electrical problems should be inspected immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and reach us at 734-284-1224 without delay.

6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee

A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.

How to Repair It

Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a professional like Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.

Our Pros Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.

You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 734-284-1224. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a fair price.