When your air conditioner is clean and working correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Peculiar air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance done within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Des Moines.
Here are six of the most common 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, particularly a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also observe 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 uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.
Four Signs You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the weird smell, here are four other hints that you are experiencing 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 cool or having your set temperature.
- Higher utility expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled assistance from a heating and cooling company like Heartland Heating & Cooling. Your cooling technician will find and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically 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 repair.
If your air conditioner was installed before 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. As a consequence, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be deadly in large amounts.
How You Can Repair It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who call us regarding this problem usually report 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 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 common in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling later in the day.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to routinely change your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Heartland Heating & Cooling. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, since excess water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it can be caused by several issues, including:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Inspect 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 solve the issue, call Heartland Heating & Cooling at 515-344-3579.
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 several things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical issues should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 515-344-3579 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading within 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 health. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Heartland Heating & Cooling check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Quickly
You deserve to be comfortable in your house 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 515-344-3579. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and resolve it at a fair price.