When your air conditioner is fresh and running properly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unexpected 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 maintenance scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Tuscaloosa.
Here are six of the most frequent 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 smell, isn’t a great sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
4 Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the odd smell, here are four other hints 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.
- Difficulty keeping your residence cold or achieving your set temperature.
- High energy costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like KDM Service Corporation. Your cooling specialist will locate and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact 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 uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to schedule air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who contact us about this problem often share 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 caused by a dirty 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 common in locations where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with KDM Service Corporation. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as excess water can also create noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several situations, such as:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, call KDM Service Corporation at 205-208-8090.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be inspected immediately to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and call us at 205-208-8090 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why you should have a specialist like KDM Service Corporation examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Odd 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 stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 205-208-8090. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a competitive.