When your air conditioner is clean and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up completed recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia.
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 scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are often a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- Increasing utility expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Air Concepts of Middle Georgia. Your cooling specialist 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 assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly 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 signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us regarding this issue frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually linked to a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Air Concepts of Middle Georgia. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since excess water can also result in nasty 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, like:
- A dirty 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, reach Air Concepts of Middle Georgia at 478-200-5689.
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 couple of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be checked immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and contact us at 478-200-5689 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold growing 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 you should have a specialist like Air Concepts of Middle Georgia examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 478-200-5689. We’ll determine the issue quickly and take care of it at a fair price.