When your air conditioner is clean and running correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled lately, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Wyandotte.
Here are six of the most common 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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a good sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the weird smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cold or having your set temperature.
- Increasing energy bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs professional support from a heating and cooling company like Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling specialist will find and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often 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 takes 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 produced due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 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, because the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us to report this situation usually share 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 typically linked to 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 typical in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as standing water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several issues, like:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine 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 fix the problem, call Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning at 734-284-1224.
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 several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical issues should be inspected right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut 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 Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 734-284-1224. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and fix it at a reasonable.
