When your air conditioner is clean and operating properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in West Allis & Milwaukee area.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can fix them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical scent, it isn’t a positive sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
- Higher energy costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Done Right Air. Your cooling pro will locate and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best 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 significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us about this situation usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. 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 need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Done Right Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several situations, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, call Done Right Air at 414-208-9000.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be examined immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at 414-208-9000 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold growing 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Done Right Air check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 414-208-9000. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and take care of it at a competitive.