When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything strange. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Bend.
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 smell, it isn’t a great sign. You might also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are regularly a sign that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house cold or reaching your desired temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs professional support from a heating and cooling company like Tri County Climate Control LLC. Your cooling specialist will pinpoint and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving 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 long it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be significantly 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 significant likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because 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.
- Going outside promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us to report this issue frequently report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused by 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 typical in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Tri County Climate Control LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since stagnant water can also lead to 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 the result of several situations, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Inspect your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, reach Tri County Climate Control LLC at 541-238-2797.
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 involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be checked right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 541-238-2797 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering 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 makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like Tri County Climate Control LLC check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when needed.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfortable in your house 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 541-238-2797. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and take care of it at a competitive.