When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Columbia.
Here are six of the most common 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 might also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four hints you have a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house comfortable or reaching your programmed temperature.
- High utility bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Watts Electric & AC. Your cooling specialist will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to do 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 alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this situation often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually created by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Watts Electric & AC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several problems, like:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it 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, call Watts Electric & AC at 601-736-7362.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re experiencing 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 needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined right away to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and reach us at 601-736-7362 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading in 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 we recommend having a pro like Watts Electric & AC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 601-736-7362. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and take care of it at a fair price.