Many of us install air conditioners to help us feel cool in our homes. But when you start to observe unpleasant odors coming from your cooling system, it’s more than just bothersome. It can greatly affect 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 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. 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 issue.
Just like anything in your indoor space, if your air conditioner isn’t cleaned well 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 frequent reasons you’ll notice odors with air conditioners. It can take place with the coils, drain pain, air ducts or even your filter. Luckily, regular maintenance can help decrease this buildup and reduce the probability that an unfriendly smell starts dispersing 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 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 retrieve the animal.
What can I do?
Analyze your filter. This is a common culprit for air conditioner odors. If it’s been a long time since you’ve changed your air filter, try replacing it with a brand new one. We typically recommend changing your filter every two to three months. But it’s also important to keep in mind other elements 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 exchanged the filter and it’s not helping, it’s probably time to reach out for some help. Especially if it’s been an lengthy period of time since your last air conditioning examination. The pros can examine 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 concerns about the odors in your home, Central Air LLC can help you assess the situation and discuss possible solutions. You should be able to enjoy your cool indoor space throughout 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 203-357-5913.