When your air conditioner is clean and running right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service done within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Elk River.
Here are six of the top 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, especially a chemical scent, 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 odors are regularly a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cold or having your desired temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Home Comfort Heating & Air. Your cooling specialist will locate and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to schedule 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 fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us to report 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 often created 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 during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Home Comfort Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because excess water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be caused by several problems, including:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, call Home Comfort Heating & Air at 763-276-0617.
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 issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and contact us at 763-276-0617 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there might be mold spreading 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 specialist like Home Comfort Heating & Air check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 763-276-0617. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and take care of it at a competitive.
