When your air conditioner is fresh and running correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up completed recently, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Mason City.
Here are six of the top 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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house cool or having your desired temperature.
- High energy costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced assistance 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.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to do air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this problem frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a filthy 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 areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Mechanical Air Systems Co. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also create nasty 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 the result of several problems, including:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine 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 resolve the issue, contact Mechanical Air Systems Co at 641-243-4654.
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 several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, switch it off and reach us at 641-243-4654 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a professional like Mechanical Air Systems Co examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 641-243-4654. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and take care of it at a competitive.