When your air conditioner is spotless and operating correctly, it’s expected you won’t be smelling anything weird. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a clue that something is out of whack. If your air conditioner is aging or you haven’t had maintenance done within the last year, they can be a sure sign you need skilled air conditioning repair in Highlands Ranch.

Here are six of the most frequent 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, particularly a chemical odor, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also notice your:

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

These sweet, chemical odors are frequently a sign that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak. Your system relies on this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can crack as time passes.

Four hints you have a refrigerant leak.

Aside from 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 runs.
  2. Ice on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
  3. Trouble keeping your residence comfortable or having your programmed temperature.
  4. High energy expenses.

How You Can Repair It

A refrigerant leak calls for experienced support from a heating and cooling company like PS Cool Heat. Your cooling technician will pinpoint and mend the leak before recharging your system with refrigerant.

Repairing a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, based on nationwide averages compiled by HomeAdvisor. Your exact cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it needs to fix.

If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, it’s likely it uses R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being produced due to its adverse effects on the ozone layer. Consequently, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be wisest to consider 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 chance you have a natural gas leak in your home. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to signal you when there’s a leak, as the gas can be fatal in big amounts.

How You Can Fix It

If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:

  • Turning off your gas supply.
  • Opening windows.
  • Going outside right away.
  • Calling your gas company without delay.

3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty

Homeowners who reach us regarding this situation usually 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 caused by a grubby 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 Fix It

The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to frequently change your air filter and schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance with PS Cool Heat. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system unblocked, since stagnant water can also result in noxious odors.

4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar

If you are experiencing air conditioner mildew smell or a pungent, vinegar-like odor, it can be the result of several issues, like:

  • A dirty 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 problem, contact PS Cool Heat at 720-613-2210.

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 several things wrong. These include:

  • Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
  • Motor that needs lubrication.
  • Broken fan belt.
  • Electrical malfunction.

Electrical issues should be examined right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is on, switch it off and reach us at 720-613-2210 immediately.

6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee

An overpowering ammonia odor means there may be mold spreading 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 health. That’s why you should have a professional like PS Cool Heat check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when necessary.

Our Professionals Can Eliminate Strange Air Conditioner Smells Fast.

You deserve to be cozy in your house and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you need relief from your stinky air conditioner, give us a call at 720-613-2210. We’ll determine the problem quickly and take care of it at a competitive.