When your air conditioner is clean and working right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up completed lately, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Siloam Springs.
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 smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cool or achieving your programmed temperature.
- High electrical expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Siloam Springs Heating & AC. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing 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 much time it takes to solve.
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 produced because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Due to this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to schedule 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 good likelihood 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 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.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this issue usually say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in climates where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Siloam Springs Heating & AC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as stagnant water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could 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 Fix It
Check 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 issue, contact Siloam Springs Heating & AC at 479-308-8176.
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 several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical issues should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and contact us at 479-308-8176 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering 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 produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Siloam Springs Heating & AC check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 479-308-8176. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
