When your air conditioner is spotless and working correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Moline.
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, specifically a chemical smell, 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 smells are frequently a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cold or having your desired temperature.
- Higher utility expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will find and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires 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 manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, 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 possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high 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, because the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us to report this problem frequently say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually linked to a filthy 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 common in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as standing water can also produce 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 caused by several situations, like:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t changed 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, reach Freed Heating & Air Conditioning at 309-323-9584.
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 couple of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and reach us at 309-323-9584 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful 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 you should have a professional like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 309-323-9584. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a competitive.