When your air conditioner is clean and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Hendersonville.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can repair 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 good sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four signs you have a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- High electrical bills.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Superior Comfort Systems. Your cooling pro will locate and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving 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 many hours it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest 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 good chance 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 large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us to report this problem often mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a filthy 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 typical in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Superior Comfort Systems. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several issues, including:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check 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 solve the smell, contact Superior Comfort Systems at 828-202-7025.
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 trouble.
Electrical problems should be examined immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and reach us at 828-202-7025 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold present inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Superior Comfort Systems check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 828-202-7025. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.
