We install air conditioners to help us feel comfortable 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 impact your home comfort.
Where do the smells come from?
Focus on what the odor smells like. If the odor resembles a rotten egg, this could be a signal 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. Allow the gas company turn it back on for you. It’s not something you want to risk doing on your own.
If it doesn’t smell like rotten eggs, you probably have a different challenge.
Just like anything in your home, if your air conditioner isn’t cleaned well or taken care of, there’s a good chance that dirt and dust will develop. And because components of your air conditioner aren’t right in front of 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 happen with the coils, drain pain, air ducts or even your filter. Luckily, routine maintenance can help prevent this buildup and reduce the odds that an unfriendly smell starts spreading throughout your house.
Heat and moisture can contribute to increased mold growth, specially 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 space.
It’s also possible that a tiny creature 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 can I do?
Check your filter. This is a typical culprit for air conditioner odors. If it’s been a long time since you’ve changed your air filter, go ahead and replace it with a brand new one. We typically advise changing your filter every two to three months. But it’s also key to keep in mind other elements that would require you to replace it more often, 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 reach out for some help. Especially if it’s been an long period of time since your last air conditioning inspection. They can assess the situation to see if a thorough cleaning can do the job. You may also want to consider having your air ducts cleaned. Professional duct cleaners can take a look to see if your indoor air quality would be enhanced from a proper cleaning.
If you have concerns about the odors in your home, All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can help you assess the situation and discuss possible solutions. You should be able to enjoy your cool indoor space during the warmer summer months, without having to suffer with unfavorable odors. You can book an appointment with our experts online or give us a shout at 256-801-4701.