When your air conditioner is spotless and working right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service scheduled within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Lawrence.
Here are six of the top 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, particularly a chemical odor, 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 smells are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints 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.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cold or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional support from a heating and cooling company like Scott Temperature. Your cooling pro will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to do 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 significant 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, as the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us to report this situation often mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a dirty 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 areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Scott Temperature. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because excess water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several problems, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check 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, reach Scott Temperature at 785-269-0465.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be examined right away to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and call us at 785-269-0465 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Scott Temperature examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 785-269-0465. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a reasonable.