When your air conditioner is clean and working right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service scheduled within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.
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, especially a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move 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 is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Halverson Brothers Inc. Your cooling professional will locate and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving 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 many hours it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 high likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us regarding this issue usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a dirty 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 climates 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 regularly get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Halverson Brothers Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because excess water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several situations, like:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged 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, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the smell, contact Halverson Brothers Inc at 715-352-4052.
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 malfunctions should be checked quickly to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 715-352-4052 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold growing 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 wellness. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Halverson Brothers Inc examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 715-352-4052. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a reasonable.
