When your air conditioner is spotless and running correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Greater Richmond.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can resolve 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 report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cold or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Your cooling pro will locate and mend the leak before recharging your system 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 takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Due to 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 high chance 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 deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us about this issue often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often caused 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 typical in climates where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new 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, as excess water can also create nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the issue, contact Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 804-302-6657.
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 number of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical issues should be checked immediately to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and reach us at 804-302-6657 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold present within 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 well-being. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 804-302-6657. We’ll determine the problem quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.