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 influence your home comfort.
Where do bad AC smells come from?
Begin with 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 contact the gas company. Be sure to have 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 probably have a different problem.
Just like anything in your home, if your air conditioner isn’t cleaned properly or taken care of, there’s a good chance that dirt and dust will accumulate. 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 more typical culprits of odor with air conditioners. It can happen with the coils, drain pain, air ducts or even your filter. Luckily, ongoing maintenance can help decrease this buildup and reduce the chances that an unfriendly smell starts diffusing throughout your space.
Heat and moisture can contribute to increased mold growth, particularly in warmer climates. Not only can mold and mildew develop a nasty smell, but it can also negatively impact the quality of air in your house.
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 retrieve the animal.
What should you do?
Check your filter. This is a usual culprit for air conditioner odors. If it’s been a long time since you’ve exchanged your air filter, replace it with a brand new one. We typically advise changing your filter every two to three months. But it’s also important to keep in mind other factors that would require you to replace it more frequently, 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 helping, it’s probably time to reach out for some help. Especially if it’s been an long period of time since your last air conditioning checkup. The pros can assess the situation to see if a thorough cleaning can do the job. You might consider having your air ducts cleaned. Professional duct cleaners can take a look to see if your indoor air quality would improve from a proper cleaning.
If you have frustrations about the odors in your home, Age Heating & Cooling can help you take a look at the situation and discuss possible solutions. You should be able to enjoy your cool indoor space in the warmer summer months, without having to suffer with unfavorable odors. You can schedule an appointment with our team online or give us a shout at 208-603-2210.
