When your air conditioner is clean and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Northridge.
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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a good sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four clues you have a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or having your set temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically 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 much time it needs to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly 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 probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us to report this issue usually share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically linked to 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 areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as standing water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several problems, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, reach Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating at (818) 727-9993.
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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be examined right away to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at (818) 727-9993 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at (818) 727-9993. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
