When your air conditioner is spotless and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance done recently, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Northridge.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can resolve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, particularly a chemical scent, it isn’t a great sign. You could also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four Hints 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 operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or achieving your programmed temperature.
- High utility bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced support from a heating and cooling company like Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating. Your cooling pro will find and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled 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 earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us regarding this situation usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a filthy 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 areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several issues, like:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve 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 solve the smell, 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 several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical problems should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at (818) 727-9993 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold present in 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 wellness. That’s why you should have a pro like Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at (818) 727-9993. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and fix it at a fair price.
