When your air conditioner is fresh and working correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a clue that something is up. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had maintenance done lately, they can be an obvious sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Albuquerque.
Here are six of the most frequent 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, 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 frequently a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time goes on.
Four hints you have a refrigerant leak.
Aside from 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 on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your home cool or having your programmed temperature.
- High electrical bills.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Tru Air Systems LLC. Your cooling technician will find and mend the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Repairing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages put together by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to repair.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a good chance it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured as a result of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be very expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
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 likelihood 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 deadly in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Evacuating your home right away.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us about this problem frequently mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often caused 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 often seen in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Repair It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Tru Air Systems LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, as stagnant water can also create noxious 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 problems, such as:
- A clogged filter
- Extra condensation
- Plugged condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Check 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 solve the issue, contact Tru Air Systems LLC at 505-226-3525.
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 couple of things wrong. These include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that needs lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical trouble.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked right away to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, turn it off and contact us at 505-226-3525 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful 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 creates.
How to Fix It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your wellness. That’s why we recommend having a specialist like Tru Air Systems LLC look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly.
You deserve to be comfy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, reach us at 505-226-3525. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and resolve it at a reasonable.