When your air conditioner is clean and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Chadron.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can resolve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, particularly a chemical smell, 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 scents are regularly a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the strange smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cold or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like MPC Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will find and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably 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 signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us about this issue usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually linked to a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water 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 transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with MPC Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since 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 the result of several situations, such as:
- A filthy 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 changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, call MPC Heating & Cooling at 308-832-4321.
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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be checked quickly to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 308-832-4321 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold present in 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 pro like MPC Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
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 smelly air conditioner, contact us at 308-832-4321. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a reasonable.