When your air conditioner is clean and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance completed lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Manassas.
Here are six of the top 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 scent, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are regularly a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Clues You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence comfortable or reaching your desired temperature.
- Increasing energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional support from a heating and cooling company like Air-Right Energy Design. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance 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 very expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us regarding this issue often share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often caused 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 typical in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Air-Right Energy Design. 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 an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several issues, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, call 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 a couple of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical issues should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and reach us at 703-260-1148 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing within 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 we recommend having a pro like Air-Right Energy Design look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 703-260-1148. We’ll determine the problem quickly and resolve it at a competitive.
