When your air conditioner is spotless and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed recently, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Frederick.
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 good sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four clues 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 is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house comfortable or having your set temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like May's Heating & Air. Your cooling professional will find and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely 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 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 deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this situation often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with May's Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as stagnant water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several situations, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve 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 fix the problem, contact May's Heating & Air at 301-690-0397.
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 several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and call us at 301-690-0397 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing within 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 specialist like May's Heating & Air examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Take Care 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 301-690-0397. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a reasonable.