When your air conditioner is spotless and operating properly, you shouldn’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 getting older or you haven’t had maintenance completed recently, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Wausau.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can repair them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically a chemical scent, it isn’t a great sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly 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 crack as time passes.
Four Signs You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other hints 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.
- It’s hard keeping your home comfortable or having your desired temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Gilray Heating and Cooling. Your cooling specialist will find and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often 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 much time it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a high probability it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this problem often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually created by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in areas where you use heating at night and during the morning before switching 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 regular air conditioning maintenance with Gilray Heating and Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, because stagnant water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several issues, including:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine 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 fix the smell, reach Gilray Heating and Cooling at 715-301-0727.
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 number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected immediately to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and call us at 715-301-0727 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold present in 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Gilray Heating and Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 715-301-0727. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and resolve it at a competitive.