When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service completed recently, they can be a clear sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Kearney.
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, particularly 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 smells are often a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four hints you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
- Increasing electrical bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling technician will find and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to do 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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us to report this problem often report 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 typically 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 use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as excess water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, call Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning at 308-624-3485.
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 couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical issues should be inspected immediately to prevent a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and call us at 308-624-3485 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold present inside 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 well-being. That’s why you should have a pro like Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 308-624-3485. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.