When your air conditioner is clean and working correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Peculiar air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Mason City.
Here are six of the top 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 may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four clues you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home comfortable or achieving your set temperature.
- Increasing utility expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Mechanical Air Systems Co. Your cooling technician will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact 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 before 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to schedule air conditioning installation in this situation.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us about this issue frequently mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically 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 typical in climates where you need 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 routinely replace your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Mechanical Air Systems Co. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as excess water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several issues, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, reach Mechanical Air Systems Co at 641-243-4654.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunction.
Electrical issues should be examined right away to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 641-243-4654 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering 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 Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a specialist like Mechanical Air Systems Co check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 641-243-4654. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and resolve it at a competitive.