When your air conditioner is clean and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Justin.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 odor, it isn’t a great sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are regularly a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Hints You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home comfortable or having your set temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Pepper AC & Heat. Your cooling pro will find and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically 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 much time it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability 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. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best 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 significant likelihood 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 fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this issue often say 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 typically 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 often seen in areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Pepper AC & Heat. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since standing water can also create nasty 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 problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t fix the smell, reach Pepper AC & Heat at 940-202-1184.
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 couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined immediately to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and contact us at 940-202-1184 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Pepper AC & Heat look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 940-202-1184. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
