When your air conditioner is fresh and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed lately, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Mankato area.
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 odor, it isn’t a good sign. You could also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other hints 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.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or achieving your desired temperature.
- Higher utility bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Northern Comfort Inc. Your cooling pro will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes 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 made as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to schedule 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 good probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us to report this problem usually share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently linked to 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 common in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Northern Comfort Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as stagnant water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several problems, like:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged 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 fix the issue, contact Northern Comfort Inc at 507-387-6596.
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 several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be inspected quickly to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at 507-387-6596 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong 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 makes.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a professional like Northern Comfort Inc examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 507-387-6596. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and fix it at a fair price.
