When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service completed within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Fort Lauderdale.
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, particularly a chemical scent, isn’t a positive sign. You might also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
4 Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cold or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing utility expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Solar Air Inc. . Your cooling specialist will locate and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise 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 before 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, 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 good probability you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this situation usually say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to a grubby 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 areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Solar Air Inc. . We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since standing water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, like:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect 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, reach Solar Air Inc. at 954-320-7398.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical issues should be examined immediately to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at 954-320-7398 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there might be mold present inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Solar Air Inc. look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 954-320-7398. We’ll determine the issue quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.