When your air conditioner is fresh and working right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Port Clinton.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are typically a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four signs you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Ohler & Holzhauer Inc.. Your cooling specialist will locate and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely 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 probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us to report this issue frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to a dirty 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 use 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 regular air conditioning maintenance with Ohler & Holzhauer Inc.. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also result in nasty 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, like:
- A filthy 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 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 resolve the issue, call Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. at 419-465-8722.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be checked quickly to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and reach us at 419-465-8722 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might 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 specialist like Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 419-465-8722. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and resolve it at a fair price.