When your air conditioner is fresh and running right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up done within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Greater Richmond.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a good sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four Hints You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the odd 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.
- Difficulty keeping your home cold or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Your cooling specialist will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak usually 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 many hours it takes to fix.
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 produced as a result of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to do air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this issue usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most often seen in locations where you turn on 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 regularly replace your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since excess water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several problems, like:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, call Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 804-302-6657.
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 a couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical problems should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 804-302-6657 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a pro like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling check 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 house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 804-302-6657. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a competitive.