When your air conditioner is clean and operating right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Alice.
Here are six of the top 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, specifically a chemical odor, 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 typically a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cold or having your desired temperature.
- Increasing energy costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Rescue Heating & Air. Your cooling pro will locate and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to 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 requires 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 produced as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us to report this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known 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 common in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Rescue Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several issues, like:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect 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 solve the problem, call Rescue Heating & Air at 361-265-4371.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected immediately to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 361-265-4371 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold present inside 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 wellness. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Rescue Heating & Air look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
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 smelly air conditioner, contact us at 361-265-4371. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.