When your air conditioner is clean and running correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Columbia.
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 smell, it isn’t a great sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home comfortable or reaching your desired temperature.
- Increasing utility bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Watts Electric & AC. Your cooling pro will locate and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to do 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 high chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside promptly.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us about this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Watts Electric & AC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as stagnant water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix 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 fix the issue, contact Watts Electric & AC at 601-736-7362.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and contact us at 601-736-7362 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there might 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Watts Electric & AC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Unpleasant 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 noxious air conditioner, contact us at 601-736-7362. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.