When your air conditioner is spotless and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Abnormal air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Oxford.
Here are six of the most common 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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are often a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four hints you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cold or reaching your desired temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Your cooling professional will find and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very 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 possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us about this problem usually share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused by a grubby evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water 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 turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several situations, including:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc at 662-281-1231.
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 needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical issues should be checked right away to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 662-281-1231 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 662-281-1231. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and fix it at a reasonable.