When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had maintenance completed recently, they can be a sure sign you need skilled 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, especially a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a sign that your air conditioner has 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 Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cold or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a high probability it has 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 consider 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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this situation frequently 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 typically caused by 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 use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as excess water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several problems, like:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix 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 Freed Heating & Air Conditioning at 309-323-9584.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected quickly to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, shut it off and reach us at 309-323-9584 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Odd 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 smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 309-323-9584. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.