When your air conditioner is clean and working correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything strange. Unexpected air conditioner noises and odd smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had maintenance done recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Mission Viejo.
Here are six of the most frequent air conditioner smells and how you can solve 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 positive sign. You could also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four signs you have a refrigerant leak.
Aside from the strange smell, here are four other hints that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house cold or achieving your set temperature.
- High electrical expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak requires professional support from a heating and cooling company like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling pro will find and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely 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 possibly nothing wrong with it. But there’s a good probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this problem often say 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 often 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 common in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later in the day.
How to Solve It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as stagnant water can also create unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be prompted by several situations, like:
- A clogged 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 replaced it 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, reach 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning at 949-204-0859.
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 a number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected immediately to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and contact us at 949-204-0859 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading inside 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 wellness. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Professionals Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at 949-204-0859. We’ll determine the issue quickly and take care of it at a fair price.