When your air conditioner is fresh and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service completed recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Weatherford.
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, especially a chemical odor, it isn’t a good sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four hints you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the odd 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 house comfortable or reaching your desired temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires professional support from a heating and cooling company like Parker County Cooling & Heating. Your cooling specialist will locate and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving 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 early than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s likely nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact 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 frequently 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 typical in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Parker County Cooling & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as standing water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several issues, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair 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 fix the smell, reach Parker County Cooling & Heating at 817-380-5213.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined right away to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 817-380-5213 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading within 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 it’s important to have a pro like Parker County Cooling & Heating examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 817-380-5213. We’ll determine the issue quickly and resolve it at a competitive.