When your air conditioner is clean and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had a tune-up completed lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Arlington.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can fix 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 good sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are often a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or having your set temperature.
- High utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling pro will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 high chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this issue frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created 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 common in locations where you turn on 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 frequently get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be caused by several situations, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, contact Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning at 360-255-5857.
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 a couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected immediately to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and reach us at 360-255-5857 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold present 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 it’s important to have a professional like Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfy in your residence 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 360-255-5857. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.