When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service done within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Tucker.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can fix 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 great sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four hints you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house cool or having your programmed temperature.
- High energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving 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 takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to schedule 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 high likelihood 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 Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us to report 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 filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture 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 transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since standing water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several situations, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Excess 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 problem, reach ACS Heating and Air Conditioning at 770-450-1539.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be inspected quickly to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 770-450-1539 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may 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 health. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like ACS Heating and Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 770-450-1539. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.
