When your air conditioner is fresh and working correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Northglenn.
Here are six of the top 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, specifically a chemical scent, 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 frequently a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the weird smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cool or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling professional will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to fix.
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 made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to schedule 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 significant probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us to report 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 typically 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 common in areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because standing water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several problems, including:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Inspect 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, call Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning at 303-452-4146.
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 couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 303-452-4146 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong 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 Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 303-452-4146. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and fix it at a reasonable.