When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had service completed within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can solve 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 might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four signs you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd 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.
- Difficulty keeping your house cold or having your set temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Halverson Brothers Inc. Your cooling professional will locate and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled 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 runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 good likelihood 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 toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this situation often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Halverson Brothers Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several issues, like:
- A filthy filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the issue, contact Halverson Brothers Inc at 715-352-4052.
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 malfunction.
Electrical issues should be inspected right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and call us at 715-352-4052 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing 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 wellness. That’s why you should have a pro like Halverson Brothers Inc look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 715-352-4052. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.
