When your air conditioner is spotless and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Peculiar air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up done lately, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Phoenix.
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, especially a chemical smell, isn’t a positive sign. You could also notice 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 uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
4 Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cold or achieving your desired temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to repair.
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 made due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Call your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us to report this situation often 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 linked to 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 common in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because stagnant water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be caused by several issues, like:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, reach Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc at 602-832-7808.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and reach us at 602-832-7808 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing within 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 well-being. That’s why we recommend having a pro like Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Take Care 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 noxious air conditioner, contact us at 602-832-7808. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.