When your air conditioner is spotless and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is wrong. 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 skilled air conditioning repair in Georgetown.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, especially a chemical smell, isn’t a great sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
4 Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cool or reaching your desired temperature.
- Increasing electrical bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Miller Climate Control LLC. Your cooling specialist will locate and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on 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 needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us about this situation often 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 often linked to 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 typical in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Miller Climate Control LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing 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 caused by several problems, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, reach Miller Climate Control LLC at 512-937-2001.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re dealing with an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be a number of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 512-937-2001 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a pro like Miller Climate Control LLC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 512-937-2001. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a reasonable.