When your air conditioner is clean and running right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Rapid City.
Here are six of the most common 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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or having your programmed temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Precision Mechanical. Your cooling pro will pinpoint and fix 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 long it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, 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 probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this issue often report 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 linked to a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Precision Mechanical. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as excess water can also lead to unpleasant 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 the result of several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check 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 problem, call Precision Mechanical at 605-206-3766.
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 problem.
Electrical issues should be inspected immediately to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 605-206-3766 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading in 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 you should have a pro like Precision Mechanical examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 605-206-3766. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.
