When your air conditioner is clean and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Holdrege.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You might also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four signs you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house cold or achieving your set temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Durable Service. Your cooling specialist will find and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its damaging 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 probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often caused by a dirty 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 turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Durable Service. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several issues, including:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve 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 issue, call Durable Service at 308-995-8177.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re experiencing 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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be checked right away to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 308-995-8177 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Durable Service check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 308-995-8177. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
