When your air conditioner is fresh and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance done lately, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Logan.
Here are six of the most common 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, particularly a chemical scent, isn’t a great sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
4 Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Western Mechanical, Inc.. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total 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 prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to do 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 good likelihood 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 toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this situation usually mention 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 usually linked to 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 need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Western Mechanical, Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be caused by several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, call Western Mechanical, Inc. at 435-753-5515.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be examined immediately to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 435-753-5515 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong 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 produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a pro like Western Mechanical, Inc. examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 435-753-5515. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and fix it at a reasonable.