When your air conditioner is clean and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service completed recently, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Excelsior Springs.
Here are six of the top 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 scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four clues you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Besides the strange smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
- Higher utility bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Colvin's Heating and Cooling. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very 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 significant probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us about this situation often say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a filthy 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 often seen in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Colvin's Heating and Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because excess water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could 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 Solve 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 resolve the issue, contact Colvin's Heating and Cooling at 816-379-3918.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re dealing with 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 needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and call us at 816-379-3918 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading within 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 health. That’s why you should have a specialist like Colvin's Heating and Cooling look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 816-379-3918. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a competitive.
