When your air conditioner is clean and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is up. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Albuquerque.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a hint that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out over time.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Besides 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.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cold or having your set temperature.
- Higher utility expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like I-Deal HVAC. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it takes to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s likely nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us regarding this problem frequently mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to 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 typical in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with I-Deal HVAC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several issues, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, call I-Deal HVAC at 505-445-1250.
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 immediately to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 505-445-1250 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a specialist like I-Deal HVAC check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
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 smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 505-445-1250. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.