When your air conditioner is spotless and operating right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up completed lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Sussex County.
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, specifically a chemical scent, it isn’t a great sign. You could also observe 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 experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
- Higher electrical expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. Your cooling specialist will locate and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us regarding this problem often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused 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 often seen in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant water can also create nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several situations, including:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. at 973-270-9244.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical issues should be inspected immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and reach us at 973-270-9244 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a professional like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 973-270-9244. We’ll determine the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.