When your air conditioner is clean and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary 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 a tune-up completed lately, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Saint Louis.
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, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You might also observe 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 suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cold or having your programmed temperature.
- Increasing electrical bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it needs to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us about this problem often mention 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 created by 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 common in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as excess water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several situations, like:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the issue, contact Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating at 314-262-4541.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re experiencing 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 checked immediately to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and contact us at 314-262-4541 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering 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 produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a professional like Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable 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 314-262-4541. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and take care of it at a fair price.