When your air conditioner is fresh and operating right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Greater Richmond.
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, especially 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 smells are often a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four clues you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house cool or having your set temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs 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 produced because of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best 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 significant probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually linked to 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 during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because excess water can also create nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several issues, including:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the smell, call Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 804-302-6657.
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 number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 804-302-6657 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold spreading in 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 it’s important to have a specialist like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 804-302-6657. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.