When your air conditioner is fresh and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Columbus.
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 positive sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cold or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Increasing electrical bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Classic Air. Your cooling pro will find and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to fix.
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 made due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to do air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
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 as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners 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 known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically caused by a dirty 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 turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Classic Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as standing water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several situations, including:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine 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 smell, contact Classic Air at 614-210-3041.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected right away to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and contact us at 614-210-3041 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Classic Air look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 614-210-3041. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and resolve it at a fair price.