When your air conditioner is clean and working properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected 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 service completed within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Lancaster.
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, particularly a chemical scent, 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 smells are often a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other signs 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 achieving your set temperature.
- Increasing energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Fairfield Heating & Cooling. Your cooling professional will locate and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 good likelihood 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 fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this issue usually 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 linked to 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 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 frequently get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Fairfield Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as excess water can also create nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, like:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact Fairfield Heating & Cooling at 740-331-4331.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be inspected quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and reach us at 740-331-4331 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a professional like Fairfield Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
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 stinky air conditioner, reach us at 740-331-4331. We’ll determine the problem quickly and take care of it at a competitive.
