When your air conditioner is spotless and operating properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Abnormal 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 maintenance done lately, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Corpus Christi.
Here are six of the top 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 smell, it isn’t a great sign. You might also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four hints you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house comfortable or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing electrical expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Total Assurance AC & Heating. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your AC 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 much time it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to do 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 likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us regarding this situation often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most often seen in climates where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Total Assurance AC & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because standing water can also lead to 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 prompted by several problems, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix 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 resolve the smell, call Total Assurance AC & Heating at 361-446-6925.
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 several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be inspected immediately to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and contact us at 361-446-6925 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing in 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 well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Total Assurance AC & Heating look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 361-446-6925. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
