When your air conditioner is fresh and working properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Hudsonville.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can fix 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 good sign. You might also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the strange smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cool or achieving your desired temperature.
- Increasing electrical expenses.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services. Your cooling specialist will find and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to solve.
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 damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 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, as the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us to report this issue usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to a grubby 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 often seen in climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several situations, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Examine 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 solve the issue, reach West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services at (616) 319-1436.
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 several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be examined quickly to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at (616) 319-1436 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why we recommend having a pro like West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Unpleasant 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 smelly air conditioner, contact us at (616) 319-1436. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
