When your air conditioner is fresh and working right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service scheduled recently, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Cedar Rapids.
Here are six of the top 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 odor, it isn’t a good sign. You might 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 is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your home cool or having your programmed temperature.
- Higher utility costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Ilten's. Your cooling technician will find and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often 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 requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us regarding this problem often share 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 typically created 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 often seen in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with Ilten's. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as excess water can also lead to noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several issues, like:
- A clogged filter
- Excess condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, call Ilten's at 319-208-2351.
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 a number of things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and call us at 319-208-2351 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful 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 produces.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Ilten's examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
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 looking for relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 319-208-2351. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.