When your air conditioner is spotless and running correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Phoenix.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can fix 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 report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four clues you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house cool or having your programmed temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced assistance from a heating and cooling company like Integrity AC & Heating LLC. Your cooling professional will find 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 assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 high likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us about this situation often 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 typically 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 often seen in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Integrity AC & Heating LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since standing water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be caused by several issues, like:
- A clogged 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 replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, reach Integrity AC & Heating LLC at 602-971-0567.
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 number of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be inspected immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and reach us at 602-971-0567 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing within 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 it’s important to have a specialist like Integrity AC & Heating LLC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be cozy in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 602-971-0567. We’ll determine the problem quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
