When your air conditioner is spotless and working correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled recently, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Pacheco.
Here are six of the most common 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 great sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing 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 runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cold or having your desired temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs professional support from a heating and cooling company like Clean Air HVAC. Your cooling professional will find and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing 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 many hours it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to schedule 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 high likelihood 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 fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this situation usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently 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 typical in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Clean Air HVAC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as stagnant water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several situations, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, contact Clean Air HVAC at 925-233-6238.
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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected quickly to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 925-233-6238 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold growing within 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 you should have a pro like Clean Air HVAC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Strange 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 seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 925-233-6238. We’ll determine the issue quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.
