When your air conditioner is spotless and running right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Marshalltown.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You could 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 is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other signs that you have 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 cool or achieving your desired temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional support from a heating and cooling company like B & G HVAC. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per 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 needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us to report this problem usually share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually created 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 common in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with B & G HVAC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several situations, including:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one 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 B & G HVAC at 641-316-3360.
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 several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical problems should be checked right away to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 641-316-3360 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like B & G HVAC check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 641-316-3360. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.
