When your air conditioner is fresh and working right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had a tune-up done recently, they can be a sure sign you need professional air conditioning repair in Winnipeg.
Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and how you can fix them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically a chemical scent, 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 scents are regularly a hint that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.
Four clues you are experiencing a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
- Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- It’s hard keeping your house cold or having your set temperature.
- High electrical costs.
How You Can Take Care of It
A refrigerant leak needs professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning. Your cooling professional will locate and repair the leak before recharging your AC 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 much time it requires to fix.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being made due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to schedule air conditioning installation in this instance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s probably nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant 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 Solve It
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we advise:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home promptly.
- Getting in touch with your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this issue usually report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also called dirty sock syndrome, this smell is often linked to 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 often seen in locations where you turn on heating at night and during the morning before switching to cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to regularly get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, as excess water can also produce nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be prompted by several issues, like:
- A filthy filter
- Too much condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Fix It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t changed it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, reach Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning at 204-272-8128.
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 include:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical problem.
Electrical malfunctions should be checked quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at 204-272-8128 without delay.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
A powerful ammonia odor means there may be mold present inside 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 Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning look at your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your noxious air conditioner, give us a call at 204-272-8128. We’ll determine the problem quickly and resolve it at a fair price.
