When your air conditioner is fresh and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Pocatello.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- Increasing energy bills.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Vogts Heating & Air. Your cooling specialist will find and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours 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 manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 good probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us about this situation 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 usually linked to 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 typical in climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Vogts Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because excess water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be caused by several problems, like:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked 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, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Vogts Heating & Air at 208-621-0129.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re noticing 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 malfunctions.
Electrical problems should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and contact us at 208-621-0129 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading within 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 Vogts Heating & Air examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 208-621-0129. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and take care of it at a fair price.