When your air conditioner is clean and working right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance completed recently, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Laurel.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 scent, it isn’t a great sign. You might also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cold or having your set temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled support from a heating and cooling company like H&C Heating and Cooling. Your cooling technician will locate and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant likelihood 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 fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this problem frequently mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually created by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with H&C Heating and Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several problems, like:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, contact H&C Heating and Cooling at 301-960-3247.
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 a couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and contact us at 301-960-3247 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like H&C Heating and Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 301-960-3247. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.