When your air conditioner is clean and operating right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Pella.
Here are six of the most common 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, specifically a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cold or reaching your set temperature.
- Higher electrical costs.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to consider 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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this problem frequently say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically created by a dirty 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 climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since excess 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 could be caused by several issues, including:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, call Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating at 641-628-3621.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined immediately to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 641-628-3621 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be comfortable in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 641-628-3621. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a fair price.
