When your air conditioner is spotless and operating right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Beckley.
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, especially a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four clues you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- High utility expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Appalachian Heating. Your cooling pro will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 good chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this issue usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Appalachian Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as excess water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several issues, including:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact Appalachian Heating at 304-877-5566.
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 number of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical problems should be checked immediately to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at 304-877-5566 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold spreading within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a specialist like Appalachian Heating check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Strange 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 seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 304-877-5566. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.
