When your air conditioner is clean and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done recently, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in in Sussex County.
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, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- Increasing electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. Your cooling specialist will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per 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 takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this situation usually share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically 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 often seen in climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because standing water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced 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 Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. at 973-270-9244.
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 a number of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical problems should be checked right away to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and call us at 973-270-9244 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
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. look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 973-270-9244. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.