The majority of us install air conditioners to help us feel cool in our homes. But when you start to notice unpleasant odors coming from your cooling system, it’s more than just bothersome. It can greatly affect your home comfort.
Where are these smells coming from?
Focus on what the odor smells like. If the odor resembles a rotten egg, this could be a sign of a gas leak. If this is the case, you should open your windows, turn off the gas supply, evacuate the home and reach out to the gas company. Make sure to let the gas company turn it back on for you. It’s not something you want to mess around with.
If it doesn’t smell like rotten eggs, you are likely experiencing a different problem.
Just like anything in your house, if your air conditioner isn’t cleaned properly or taken care of, there’s a good chance that dirt and dust will develop. And because components of your air conditioner aren’t clearly displayed before you, cleaning them can often go overlooked.
Buildup of mold, dirt and other particles is one of the most common sources of odors with air conditioners. It can occur with the coils, drain pain, air ducts or even your filter. Luckily, ongoing maintenance can help avoid this buildup and reduce the probability that an unfriendly smell starts diffusing throughout your home.
Heat and moisture can contribute to increased mold growth, especially in warmer climates. Not only can mold and mildew create a nasty smell, but it can also negatively impact the quality of air in your space.
It’s also possible that a little critter navigated into your duct system and died. You can turn off your air conditioner and either give our team or pest control a call to come and get the animal.
Where do I start?
Assess your filter. This is a usual culprit for air conditioner odors. If it’s been a long time since you’ve swapped your air filter, go ahead and replace it with a brand new one. We typically suggest changing your filter every three months. But it’s also important to keep in mind other factors that would require you to replace it more repeatedly, such as pets in the home or if a family member has allergies or asthma.
If you’ve replaced the filter and it’s not reducing the smell, it’s probably time to call in an expert. Especially if it’s been an extended period of time since your last air conditioning inspection. Technicians can assess the situation to see if a thorough cleaning can do the job. You could consider having your air ducts cleaned. Professional duct cleaners can take a look to see if your indoor air quality would benefit from a proper cleaning.
If you have anxiety about the odors in your home, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you review the situation and chat about possible solutions. You should be able to enjoy your cool indoor space in the warmer summer months, without having to suffer with unwanted odors. You can arrange an appointment with our team online or give us a shout at 804-302-6657.