When your air conditioner is spotless and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Peculiar air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance completed lately, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Odessa.
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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
- High utility expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs professional support from a heating and cooling company like Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it takes to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 high 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, as the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching 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 call us to report this situation frequently say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created 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 typical in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several situations, like:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve 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, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning at 432-237-0168.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re experiencing an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be a number of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be inspected right away to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 432-237-0168 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there might be mold present inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 432-237-0168. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
