When your air conditioner is clean and working correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is out of whack. 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 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, especially a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four hints you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cold or achieving your desired temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Stieferman Heating Company Inc. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to 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 uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very 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 significant chance 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 toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us about this problem frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture 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 transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Stieferman Heating Company Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as excess water can also lead to 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 the result of several problems, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, reach Stieferman Heating Company Inc at 573-635-3547.
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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be examined right away to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and reach us at 573-635-3547 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading inside 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 wellness. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Stieferman Heating Company Inc look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 573-635-3547. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.