When your air conditioner is clean and running correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done recently, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in New Castle.
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 scent, it isn’t a good sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four hints you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- High electrical expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Central Heating & Plumbing. Your cooling specialist will find and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving 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 long it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to schedule air conditioning installation in this situation.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good 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, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this problem frequently share 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 frequently caused by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture 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 switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Central Heating & Plumbing. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several situations, like:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Inspect 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 resolve the problem, call Central Heating & Plumbing at 724-401-1843.
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 problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined right away to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and call us at 724-401-1843 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Central Heating & Plumbing check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 724-401-1843. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.