When your air conditioner is fresh and operating correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled lately, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Huntingburg.
Here are six of the top 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, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- Increasing energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Dearing's Service & Solutions. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its adverse 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 instance.
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 chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
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 now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this issue frequently say 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 often created by 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 common in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Dearing's Service & Solutions. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because standing 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 might be the result of several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect 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 smell, call Dearing's Service & Solutions at 812-200-5844.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and contact us at 812-200-5844 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing 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 we recommend having a pro like Dearing's Service & Solutions check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 812-200-5844. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and take care of it at a fair price.