When your air conditioner is clean and operating correctly, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unexpected air conditioner noises and strange smells are a hint that something is up. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had service done recently, they can be an obvious sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Oxford.
Here are six of the top 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, especially a chemical smell, it isn’t a great sign. You may also notice your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical odors are regularly a clue that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out as time goes on.
Four Clues You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Aside from the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Trouble keeping your residence cold or achieving your desired temperature.
- Higher energy expenses.
How You Can Fix It
A refrigerant leak calls for skilled repairs from a heating and cooling company like Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Your cooling pro will locate and fix the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact 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 prior to 2010, there’s a good chance it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a consequence, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be smartest to consider air conditioning installation in this situation.
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 house. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be fatal in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Switching off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company without delay.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
People who reach us about this problem often mention their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is frequently created by a dirty 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 climates where you use heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, because excess water can also result in unpleasant odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it could be caused by several problems, including:
- A clogged filter
- Too much condensation
- Clogged 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, we recommend replacing it. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc at 662-281-1231.
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 entail:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that should have lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical malfunctions.
Electrical malfunctions should be examined right away to prevent a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, switch it off and reach us at 662-281-1231 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold flourishing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold makes.
How to Solve It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Specialists Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast
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 smelly air conditioner, reach us at 662-281-1231. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and take care of it at a fair price.