We install air conditioners to help us feel relaxed in our homes. But when you start to observe unpleasant odors coming from your cooling system, it’s more than just annoying. It can greatly impact 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 an indication 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 tackle yourself.
If it doesn’t smell like rotten eggs, you are likely experiencing a different challenge.
Just like anything in your indoor space, if your air conditioner isn’t cleaned correctly or taken care of, there’s a good chance that dirt and dust will accumulate. And because components of your air conditioner aren’t front and center, 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. However, regular maintenance can help prevent this buildup and reduce the probability that an unfriendly smell starts spreading throughout your home.
Heat and moisture can contribute to increased mold growth, especially 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 home.
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?
Analyze your filter. This is a common 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 recommend changing your filter every two to three months. But it’s also vital to keep in mind other reasons 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 helping, it’s probably time to contact a professional. Especially if it’s been an extended period of time since your last air conditioning inspection. They can review 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 improve from a proper cleaning.
If you have frustrations about the odors in your home, McFadden Heating & Cooling can help you take a look at the situation and talk through 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 book an appointment with us online or give us a shout at 519-683-2339.
