When your air conditioner is spotless and running correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up completed lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Marshalltown.
Here are six of the top 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 scent, it isn’t a great sign. You could also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cold or having your programmed temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Kapaun & Brown. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and mend 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 precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to repair.
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 produced because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 good probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this problem usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Kapaun & Brown. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as stagnant water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine 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 Kapaun & Brown at 641-812-2028.
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 several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical issues should be checked immediately to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 641-812-2028 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Kapaun & Brown look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 641-812-2028. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a reasonable.