When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a sign that something is off. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a clear sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Albuquerque.
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, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You could also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical scents are frequently a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time passes.
Four Hints You Have a Refrigerant Leak
In addition to the strange smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house comfortable or reaching your desired temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak needs skilled support from a heating and cooling company like Tru Air Systems LLC. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how long it takes to fix.
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 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to do 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 good probability you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in heavy concentrations.
How You Can Solve It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Turning off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us about this problem often say 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 typically created by a filthy 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 areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Solve It
The best approach for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with Tru Air Systems LLC. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unclogged, as excess water can also produce noxious odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be prompted by several situations, such as:
- A dirty filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Resolve It
Check your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, 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 number of 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 inspected immediately to stop a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, turn it off and call us at 505-226-3525 immediately.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold flourishing inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your well-being. That’s why you should have a specialist like Tru Air Systems LLC examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Specialists Can Take Care of Weird Air Conditioner Smells Rapidly
You deserve to be cozy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, reach us at 505-226-3525. We’ll figure out the problem quickly and fix it at a fair price.