When your air conditioner is spotless and operating properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need skilled 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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house comfortable or having your set temperature.
- High energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Kapaun & Brown. Your cooling specialist will locate and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to do 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 significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us to report this situation often report 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 frequently 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 use 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 frequently get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Kapaun & Brown. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since standing water can also lead to unpleasant 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 problems, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, 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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical problems should be checked quickly to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 641-812-2028 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Kapaun & Brown look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 641-812-2028. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a fair price.