When your air conditioner is clean and running right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Streamwood.
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, especially a chemical odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four hints you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints 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 cold or reaching your desired temperature.
- High energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning. Your cooling specialist will find and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this problem usually say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often caused by 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 often seen in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several situations, including:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the issue, contact Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning at 630-313-2509.
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 malfunction.
Electrical issues should be checked immediately to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at 630-313-2509 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold present inside 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 630-313-2509. We’ll determine the problem quickly and resolve it at a competitive.