When your air conditioner is clean and working correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Abnormal air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance completed lately, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Cedar Rapids.
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, particularly a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You could 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 transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four signs you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your home cool or having your desired temperature.
- Higher utility bills.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Ilten's. Your cooling pro will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be very expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a high chance 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 toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who call us to report this issue usually share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually caused by a grubby 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 climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Ilten's. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several issues, like:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Check 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 solve the issue, contact Ilten's at 319-208-2351.
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 several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical problems should be inspected quickly to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and contact us at 319-208-2351 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold growing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Ilten's examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Unpleasant Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your stinky air conditioner, reach us at 319-208-2351. We’ll figure out the trouble quickly and resolve it at a competitive.