When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, you shouldn’t be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had maintenance scheduled recently, they can be an obvious sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Boynton Beach.
Here are six of the most common 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, specifically a chemical odor, isn’t a great sign. You may also report your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are typically a hint that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
4 Clues You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the weird smell, here are four other clues that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your house comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak calls for professional assistance from a heating and cooling company like A2Z Air Inc. Your cooling technician will find and mend the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, there’s a high probability it has R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest 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 good likelihood you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home as soon as possible.
- Contacting your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who contact us regarding this problem often mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s on. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually created 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 typical in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly replace your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with A2Z Air Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also lead to unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several situations, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t put in a new one within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, call A2Z Air Inc at 561-270-6228.
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 a number of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical problems should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is operating, turn it off and contact us at 561-270-6228 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there may be mold present within your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like A2Z Air Inc look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Get Rid of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 561-270-6228. We’ll determine the trouble quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.