When your air conditioner is spotless and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Holbrook.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 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 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 wear out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- Higher electrical expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional support from a heating and cooling company like Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation. Your cooling professional will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly 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 probability 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 big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us about this problem usually say 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 dirty 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 locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also lead to noxious 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 issues, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, contact Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation at 631-460-5159.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
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 reach us at 631-460-5159 right away.
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 produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfy 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 631-460-5159. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.