When your air conditioner is fresh 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 past its prime or you haven’t had service completed recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Carson City.
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 scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may 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 has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home comfortable or achieving your programmed temperature.
- Higher utility bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Anderson Heating & A/C. Your cooling professional will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact 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 often created by 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 often seen 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 change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Anderson Heating & A/C. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since excess water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several situations, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Inspect 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 fix the problem, reach Anderson Heating & A/C at 775-230-7628.
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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be examined immediately to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and contact us at 775-230-7628 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a specialist like Anderson Heating & A/C check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 775-230-7628. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.