Your air conditioning system is the one you most count on to bring comfort to your home. So you expect it to deliver nice cold air to keep you fresh when you turn it on. And you’d like to feel it and not smell it! But what happens when you switch it on and get a foul smell from it? The last thing you want is to ruin your day with bad air conditioner scents!
Smells of bad air conditioner are telltale signs that it’s time for service. But a problem with the odor doesn’t necessarily mean a costly patch is in order. It might be something as basic as a dirty air filter or an obstructed drain pan. But some smells can potentially mean hazards to you and your family.
- Mold Growth
Mold and Mildew can spread through your indoor air once the air conditioner has settled in. When left unattended, other chemicals inside the HVAC system will do the same. Yet bad smells of air conditioner might not actually come from the machine itself. Odors may come from another source and may be picked up and transferred through your air conditioning or duct network. In order to avoid that it is essential that you get your ac duct cleaning done periodically.
- Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils of your refrigeration system accumulate dirt, dust, and other contaminants with daily use over time. Add to that the cool, humid environment created by your evaporator coil and you have a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. After routine maintenance and cleaning, over time the evaporator coils can begin to emit bad air conditioner odours.
- Duct Problems
Dirt and debris will collect in the ductwork as the air circulates inside your home. And if moisture is not managed, your ductwork can become damp, which also leads to growth of mold and mildew. Any holes, gaps or damage to your ductwork creates the opportunity for external odors to enter the duct system and circulate indoor air through it.
And mold and mildew could also enter your duct system from a roof leak or wet crawl space, and produce the smell. If outside odors disappear from broken ductwork, it is time to have it checked.
- Poor Ventilation
A common reason to smell bad air conditioner is because homes are not properly ventilated. This is primarily due to a lack of fresh breathing air in your HVAC system. Improper ventilation and circulation of air can not only result in foul odors but can also affect the quality of indoor air. If your house isn’t fully ventilated, try to let more air in, when possible. Don’t be afraid if you can, to open windows. We will help you identify odor-causing problems, and provide solutions to improve ventilation in your home.
