When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Derby.
Here are six of the most common 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 notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house cool or having your programmed temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional support from a heating and cooling company like Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning. Your cooling pro will locate and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn 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.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us regarding this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually linked to a grubby 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 climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since standing water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve 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 smell, reach Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning at 203-772-8319.
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 entail:
- 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 detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at 203-772-8319 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing 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 pro like Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
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, give us a call at 203-772-8319. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and take care of it at a fair price.