When your air conditioner is fresh and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled recently, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Ames.
Here are six of the most common 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, 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 smells are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four signs you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- Higher electrical bills.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Haselhoff Air Solutions. Your cooling professional will find and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 good probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us to report this issue often report 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 often created by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Haselhoff Air Solutions. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since excess water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, 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 Fix 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, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, contact Haselhoff Air Solutions at 515-450-8739.
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 number of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical problems should be examined right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and reach us at 515-450-8739 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold present in 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 health. That’s why you should have a professional like Haselhoff Air Solutions check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 515-450-8739. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.