When your air conditioner is clean and operating correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Longview.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can solve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically 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 typically a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four Clues You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cool or reaching your set temperature.
- High utility bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Goode Bros AC & Heating. Your cooling specialist will find and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to consider 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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us to report this problem frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation 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 turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Goode Bros AC & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because excess water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several problems, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect 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 issue, contact Goode Bros AC & Heating at 903-284-2612.
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 couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical problems should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 903-284-2612 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a specialist like Goode Bros AC & Heating check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 903-284-2612. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a competitive.
