When your air conditioner is spotless and operating properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Covington.
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 scent, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents 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 break out as time goes on.
Four hints you have a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cool or having your desired temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Covington Air Systems. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually 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 fix.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us to report this issue frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently 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 transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Covington Air Systems. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several issues, including:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, contact Covington Air Systems at (770) 462-5319.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re noticing an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be inspected immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and reach us at (770) 462-5319 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Covington Air Systems check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Odd 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, reach us at (770) 462-5319. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.