When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up done within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Georgetown.
Here are six of the top 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, especially a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home comfortable or having your set temperature.
- High energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Miller Climate Control LLC. Your cooling pro will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing 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 needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s likely nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us about this situation frequently mention 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 grubby 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 turning on cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Miller Climate Control LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as excess water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Inspect 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 resolve the issue, call Miller Climate Control LLC at 512-937-2001.
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 number of 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 avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at 512-937-2001 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a specialist like Miller Climate Control LLC 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 comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 512-937-2001. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.
