When your air conditioner is spotless and running right, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and strange smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had a tune-up scheduled lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Manassas.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, especially a chemical scent, it isn’t a good sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack over time.
Four Signs You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Besides the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house comfortable or having your set temperature.
- High energy expenses.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Woody's Sudden Service. Your cooling professional will pinpoint and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Fixing a refrigerant leak usually 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 much time it needs to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely 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. Due to this, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest 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 chance 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 fatal in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Repair It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Going outside promptly.
- Calling your gas company immediately.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Homeowners who reach us to report this issue usually mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also referred to as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically linked to 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 areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Woody's Sudden Service. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, because stagnant water can also create nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be caused by several issues, including:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, call Woody's Sudden Service at 703-278-2036.
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 several things wrong. These entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical problems should be inspected right away to avoid a fire. If you notice burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and contact us at 703-278-2036 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A strong ammonia odor means there could be mold spreading within 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 pro like Woody's Sudden Service examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Strange 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 noxious air conditioner, contact us at 703-278-2036. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and fix it at a fair price.