When your air conditioner is spotless and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled recently, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Albuquerque.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 good sign. You could also report 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 relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four signs you have a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home comfortable or achieving your set temperature.
- Higher energy bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like I-Deal HVAC. Your cooling specialist will find and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total 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 before 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, 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 probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high 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, because the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us to report this situation usually mention 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 frequently caused by a filthy 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 locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with I-Deal HVAC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since standing water can also produce noxious 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 situations, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Check 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 smell, contact I-Deal HVAC at 505-445-1250.
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 couple of things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and contact us at 505-445-1250 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold present in 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 well-being. That’s why you should have a professional like I-Deal HVAC examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 505-445-1250. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and fix it at a competitive.