When your air conditioner is clean and running correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed recently, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Holdrege.
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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four clues you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house cold or having your programmed temperature.
- High energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Durable Service. Your cooling technician will find and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider 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 residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach 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 often caused by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Durable Service. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because standing water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several situations, like:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check 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 resolve the problem, call Durable Service at 308-995-8177.
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 several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical issues should be checked right away to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and reach us at 308-995-8177 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering 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 health. That’s why you should have a pro like Durable Service examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 308-995-8177. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
