When your air conditioner is fresh and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had maintenance done within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in York.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can solve them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, especially a chemical odor, isn’t a great sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are often 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 break out over time.
4 Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cold or having your programmed temperature.
- Higher utility expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling pro will locate and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to solve.
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 made due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in large amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Call your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who call us to report this issue often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently linked to 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 typical in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant 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 can be prompted by several situations, like:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, call Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning at 717-383-4479.
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 should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and contact us at 717-383-4479 right away.
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 Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a professional like Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 717-383-4479. We’ll determine the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.