When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Chelan and Wenatchee.
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 odor, it isn’t a good sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides 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 on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your residence cool or reaching your programmed temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Lakeside Heating & Air. Your cooling professional will find and repair the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on 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 needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us to report this problem 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 typically caused by a grubby 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 climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Lakeside Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because standing water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several issues, including:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve 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 fix the issue, reach Lakeside Heating & Air at 509-284-4265.
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 number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at 509-284-4265 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold present inside 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 you should have a professional like Lakeside Heating & Air check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, contact us at 509-284-4265. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.
