When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service done recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Jefferson City.
Here are six of the most common 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 scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often 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 over time.
Four Signs You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cool or achieving your desired temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Stieferman Heating Company Inc. Your cooling pro will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to schedule air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside promptly.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us to report this situation frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a grubby 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 locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Stieferman Heating Company Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several problems, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Too much 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 smell, reach Stieferman Heating Company Inc at 573-635-3547.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re dealing with an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be a couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical problems should be examined quickly to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at 573-635-3547 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing 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 well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Stieferman Heating Company Inc examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 573-635-3547. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and fix it at a fair price.