When your air conditioner is fresh and running correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up completed within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Kutztown and Breinigsville.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical smell, 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 smells are regularly a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cool or having your desired temperature.
- High energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Moyer Total Indoor Comfort. Your cooling specialist will find and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise 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 prior to 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to schedule air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. 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 Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us to report this issue usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a grubby 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 climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Moyer Total Indoor Comfort. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because stagnant water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several issues, including:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair 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 solve the issue, reach Moyer Total Indoor Comfort at 484-646-3363.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re noticing an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and reach us at 484-646-3363 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could 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 specialist like Moyer Total Indoor Comfort check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 484-646-3363. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a fair price.