When your air conditioner is spotless and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Peculiar air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is off. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had service done within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in The Bay Area.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can repair 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 could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is cooling.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your residence comfortable or achieving your desired temperature.
- Increasing utility costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like Contra Costa Heating & AC. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be best to do air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 significant probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal 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:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Calling your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who reach us to report this problem usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often created by a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Condensation can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most common in areas where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Contra Costa Heating & AC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because standing water can also produce unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several problems, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine 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 fix the issue, call Contra Costa Heating & AC at 510-343-9841.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be examined quickly to stop a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, shut it off and reach us at 510-343-9841 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold present in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Contra Costa Heating & AC check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Eliminate Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are seeking relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 510-343-9841. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a competitive.
