When your air conditioner is spotless and working correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Peculiar air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance completed within the last year, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Manassas.
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, especially a chemical odor, it isn’t a great sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cold or reaching your set temperature.
- High energy bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional support from a heating and cooling company like Air-Right Energy Design. Your cooling specialist will locate and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often 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 long it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability 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. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 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, as the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us regarding this problem frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Air-Right Energy Design. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several situations, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair 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, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Air-Right Energy Design at 703-260-1148.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be checked right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and reach us at 703-260-1148 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Air-Right Energy Design check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
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 smelly air conditioner, reach us at 703-260-1148. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and take care of it at a competitive.
