When your air conditioner is spotless and operating properly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Abnormal air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service completed recently, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Cedar Rapids.
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, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are regularly a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to shift heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from 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.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
- Higher energy costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak requires skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Ilten's. Your cooling technician will locate and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it takes to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us about this situation frequently share their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently caused 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 transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to routinely get a new air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Ilten's. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as excess water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several problems, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Repair It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, reach Ilten's at 319-208-2351.
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 several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical issues should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and call us at 319-208-2351 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a specialist like Ilten's examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Strange 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 smelly air conditioner, contact us at 319-208-2351. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and take care of it at a fair price.