When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service completed within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Hodgenville.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can fix them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical odor, isn’t a positive sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
4 Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house comfortable or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing electrical bills.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Phelps Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will locate and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good probability 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 Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us about this problem often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically linked to 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 common in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Phelps Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be caused by 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 resolve the problem, call Phelps Heating & Cooling at 270-358-3167.
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 a number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical issues should be inspected quickly to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 270-358-3167 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Phelps Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 270-358-3167. We’ll determine the issue quickly and resolve it at a fair price.