When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Eastland.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can resolve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You could also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are typically a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Hints You Have 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 runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence comfortable or reaching your desired temperature.
- High energy bills.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires professional support from a heating and cooling company like J & J Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will find and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually 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 many hours it requires 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 manufactured because of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 significant probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us regarding this situation frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently 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 typical in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with J & J Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant water can also produce nasty 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 the result of several issues, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve 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 solve the smell, reach J & J Air Conditioning at 254-355-3833.
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 several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be examined immediately to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 254-355-3833 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold spreading in 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like J & J Air Conditioning examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 254-355-3833. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.
