6 Common Air Conditioner Smells Decoded and How to Solve Them

April 21, 2021

When your air conditioner is fresh and operating right, you shouldn’t be smelling anything odd. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a hint that something is wrong. If your air conditioner is getting older or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Rapid City.

Here are six of the top 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 smell, isn’t a positive sign. You might also notice your:

  • Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
  • Home air conditioner smells sweet

These sweet, chemical smells are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can wear out as time goes on.

4 Hints You Are Dealing with a Refrigerant Leak

In addition to the weird smell, here are four other signs that you are dealing with a refrigerant leak.

  1. Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
  2. Frost on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
  3. Difficulty keeping your home comfortable or reaching your set temperature.
  4. Higher energy bills.

How You Can Take Care of It

A refrigerant leak calls for professional repairs from a heating and cooling company like Precision Mechanical. Your cooling professional will locate and fix the leak before recharging your air conditioner with refrigerant.

Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, based on 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 early than 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Because of this, repairs can be extremely 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 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 alert you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be toxic in big amounts.

How You Can Repair It

If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we suggest:

  • Shutting off your gas supply.
  • Opening windows.
  • Leaving your home right away.
  • Getting in touch with your gas company immediately.

3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty

Homeowners who call us about this situation frequently 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 frequently caused by a dirty evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Moisture can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most typical in locations where you need heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling later on.

How to Repair It

The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently get a new air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Precision Mechanical. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since excess water can also lead to noxious odors.

4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a strong, vinegar-like odor, it might be the result of several situations, such as:

  • A filthy filter
  • Extra condensation
  • Clogged condensate pan or drain line
  • Moldy air conditioner or ductwork

How to Repair It

Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced 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, contact Precision Mechanical at 605-206-3766.

5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic

If you’re experiencing 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 needs lubrication.
  • Broken fan belt.
  • Electrical trouble.

Electrical issues should be examined quickly to prevent a fire. If you smell burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 605-206-3766 without delay.

6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee

An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold flourishing inside 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 well-being. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Precision Mechanical examine your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.

Our Specialists Can Take Care of Strange Air Conditioner Smells Quickly

You deserve to be comfy in your residence and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your smelly air conditioner, contact us at 605-206-3766. We’ll diagnose the problem quickly and fix it at a fair price.