When your air conditioner is spotless and working properly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Out of the ordinary air conditioner noises and odd smells are a sign that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is past its prime or you haven’t had service scheduled lately, they can be a clear sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Lafayette.

Here are six of the most common 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 scent, it isn’t a good sign. You might also observe your:

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

These sweet, chemical odors are typically a clue that your air conditioner is suffering from a refrigerant leak. Your system needs this gas to transfer heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.

Four Hints You Are Experiencing a Refrigerant Leak

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

  1. Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is operating.
  2. Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
  3. Trouble keeping your home cold or achieving your set temperature.
  4. Increasing energy expenses.

How You Can Take Care of It

A refrigerant leak requires skilled support from a heating and cooling company like AC Sales. Your cooling technician will locate and fix the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.

Fixing a refrigerant leak often costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your precise cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how many hours it requires to solve.

If your air conditioner was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be extremely expensive so it may be best to consider air conditioning installation in this circumstance.

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 high probability you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, since the gas can be deadly in large amounts.

How You Can Fix It

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

  • Switching off your gas supply.
  • Opening windows.
  • Leaving your home as soon as possible.
  • Getting in touch with your gas company now.

3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty

People who call us about this situation often report their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it runs. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is typically linked to a filthy 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 turn on heating at night and during the morning before transitioning to cooling during the afternoon.

How to Solve It

The best method for preventing dirty sock syndrome is to frequently replace your air filter and schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with AC Sales. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since excess water can also produce nasty odors.

4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it could be caused by several issues, such as:

  • A clogged filter
  • Excess condensation
  • Blocked condensate pan or drain line
  • Moldy air conditioner or ductwork

How to Solve 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 fix the problem, call AC Sales at (337) 234-2345.

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 several things wrong. These include:

  • Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
  • Motor that should have lubrication.
  • Broken fan belt.
  • Electrical issue.

Electrical issues should be checked immediately to avoid a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and call us at (337) 234-2345 immediately.

6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee

A powerful ammonia odor means there could be mold growing in your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold produces.

How to Repair It

Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like AC Sales check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.

Our Specialists Can Eliminate Weird Air Conditioner Smells Fast

You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your stinky air conditioner, contact us at (337) 234-2345. We’ll diagnose the trouble quickly and fix it at a competitive.