When your air conditioner is clean and running right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed within the last year, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Chelan and Wenatchee.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, especially a chemical scent, it isn’t a great sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are often a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time passes.
Four signs you have a refrigerant leak.
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other clues that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cold or reaching your set temperature.
- High electrical expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Lakeside Heating & Air. Your cooling specialist will find and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often 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 many hours it requires to fix.
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 manufactured as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be wisest to schedule 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 probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us to report this issue often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently linked to a dirty 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 on.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Lakeside Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as standing water can also lead to nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are dealing with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it could be the result of several situations, including:
- A filthy filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Check 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 solve the problem, contact Lakeside Heating & Air at 509-284-4265.
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 number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected quickly to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, shut it off and call us at 509-284-4265 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Lakeside Heating & Air check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 509-284-4265. We’ll determine the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.
