When your air conditioner is spotless and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up done within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in New Castle.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can solve 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 may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Signs You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Central Heating & Plumbing. Your cooling professional 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 long it needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to schedule 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 high chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this problem frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. 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 climates where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Central Heating & Plumbing. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because standing water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several situations, like:
- A dirty filter
- Too much 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 smell, contact Central Heating & Plumbing at 724-401-1843.
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 couple of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical issues should be checked right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and call us at 724-401-1843 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like Central Heating & Plumbing look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Odd 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 smelly air conditioner, reach us at 724-401-1843. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.