When your air conditioner is clean and working correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up completed recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Morgantown.
Here are six of the most common 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 scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four clues you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues 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 house cool or having your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Mountain Air. Your cooling professional will find and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it has 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 very expensive so it may be wisest 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 high probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this situation usually 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 frequently created by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most often seen in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Mountain Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several issues, like:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked 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, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, call Mountain Air at 304-413-1287.
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 needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be checked right away to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and contact us at 304-413-1287 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold present 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Mountain Air check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 304-413-1287. We’ll determine the issue quickly and fix it at a competitive.