When your air conditioner is spotless and running correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Bartlesville.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are typically a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cool or having your set temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Farris Heating & Air. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled 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 high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us about this problem often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused by 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 typical in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Farris Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because excess water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be caused by several situations, including:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact Farris Heating & Air at 918-333-0376.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined quickly to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 918-333-0376 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a professional like Farris Heating & Air check 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 house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 918-333-0376. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and resolve it at a competitive.