When your air conditioner is spotless and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Yukon.
Here are six of the top 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 smell, it isn’t a great sign. You could also observe 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 uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four clues you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cool or reaching your set temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling pro will locate and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us to report this issue often say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most often seen in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as excess water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several issues, including:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t fix the smell, call Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning at 405-494-7444.
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 several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and reach us at 405-494-7444 immediately.
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 produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a specialist like Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be comfy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 405-494-7444. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.
