When your air conditioner is clean and operating properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Frederick.
Here are six of the top 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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a great 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 has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cool or having your desired temperature.
- High electrical expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like May's Heating & Air. Your cooling professional will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to schedule 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 high 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, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us to report this situation usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused 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 need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with May's Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because standing water can also lead to unpleasant 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 issues, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, reach May's Heating & Air at 301-690-0397.
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 trouble.
Electrical problems should be examined right away to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, shut it off and reach us at 301-690-0397 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a pro like May's Heating & Air examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 301-690-0397. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and take care of it at a fair price.