Most refrigerants have little or no odor to them. Air conditioning systems are sealed systems and will not leak gas into air unless one of the refrigerant lines has developed a leak.
Some bad must have happened to it. You should probably spend your money and get it checked out before you die. This is a matter of life and death. Don't question the cost.
Do you really know what refrigerant smells like? If so you should have the problem checked immediately! Is it a musty smell that you are smelly almost like the inside of your refrigerator? If that is the case you need to have someone check the charge in the unit.
It sounds like you may have a leak in one of the hoses going from the air conditioner to the house or the freon is leaking somewhere else in the unit. Call a professional.
