When your air conditioner is fresh and operating properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service scheduled within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Moline.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can resolve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically 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 odors are regularly a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or achieving your desired temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling professional will locate and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise 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 prior to 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 adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest 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 high likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us regarding this issue frequently mention 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 typically linked to 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 need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since standing water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged 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, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, reach Freed Heating & Air Conditioning at 309-323-9584.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be inspected quickly to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 309-323-9584 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing in 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 we recommend having a professional like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 309-323-9584. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and take care of it at a fair price.