When your air conditioner is fresh and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance completed within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Northridge.
Here are six of the most common 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, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are typically a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the odd smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house comfortable or achieving your set temperature.
- High utility bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating. Your cooling specialist will locate and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, according to nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed earlier than 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced as a result of its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this instance.
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 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, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us regarding this situation usually say 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 often linked to 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 climates where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since stagnant 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 could be prompted by several issues, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Excess condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine 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 resolve the issue, reach Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating at (818) 727-9993.
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 requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined immediately to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and contact us at (818) 727-9993 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why you should have a pro like Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate 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, give us a call at (818) 727-9993. We’ll diagnose the issue quickly and fix it at a reasonable.
