When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up completed lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Elk River.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house comfortable or reaching your programmed temperature.
- High electrical expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Home Comfort Heating & Air. Your cooling technician will locate and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 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, as the gas can be fatal 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 as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us regarding this situation usually 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 caused by a grubby 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 areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Home Comfort Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because standing water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, like:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair 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, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, 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 problem.
Electrical problems should be checked immediately to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 763-276-0617 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold growing within 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 wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Home Comfort Heating & Air look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 763-276-0617. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a fair price.
