When your air conditioner is clean and running properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed lately, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Siloam Springs.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You may 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 has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Signs You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cool or achieving your desired temperature.
- Increasing electrical bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Siloam Springs Heating & AC. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to solve.
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 made because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 high chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us about this situation 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 frequently created by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation 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 Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently 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, since standing water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several issues, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine 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, contact Siloam Springs Heating & AC at 479-308-8176.
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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined immediately to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and contact us at 479-308-8176 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing inside 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Siloam Springs Heating & AC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfy 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 determine the problem quickly and fix it at a fair price.
