When a bad smell starts coming out of your AC, it can feel like a helpless
and unavoidable situation. No matter where you attempt to retreat, the
smell follows you through air ducts and vents. There are several things
that can cause your air conditioner to emit a smell, and different smells
point to different issues. So, to rid your home of the stench, you must
first decide what exactly your AC smells like. Here are a few unpleasant
aromas and what they mean for your air conditioning system.
Musty and Mildew: If your AC smells like a high school boy’s locker room or an old
toolshed that hasn’t seen the light of day in decades, it’s
likely a sign of excess moisture in your home. The smell you’re
experiencing is the result of bacteria and mildew growing and thriving
in your home’s moist air. You may simply have an indoor humidity
problem, which can be solved with a nifty dehumidifier.
If you experience a gross, musty smell during the winter, especially in
the beginning of the season when you first begin using your heating system,
you may have slightly a different problem on your hands. Sometimes, after
your heater sits idle for a while, cranking it back up sends it into defrost
mode, creating a damp environment. This, too, will allow potentially harmful
microorganisms to inhabit your home, not only creating a bad smell, but
also diminishing your indoor air quality. The best way to prevent this
kind of smell in your home is by getting preventative
maintenance for your AC before each heating and cooling season.
Burning or Electrical: If the smell coming from your AC smells like burning plastic or rubber,
you may have an electrical problem. Poor electrical connections can cause
the coating on wires to melt, emitting a burning smell and potentially
leading to equipment damage, or worse: an electrical fire. If this is
the kind of smell you’re experiencing, shut your system off completely
and call an electrician.
If you haven’t used your heating system in a while, you may experience
a burning smell when you first turn it on. This happens when dust piles
up in your system and your heater has to burn it off. The smell should
dissipate after a few moments.
Putrid and Sour
If your AC is stinking up your entire house with a putrid, rancid smell,
you might have a pest problem on your hands. If a critter crawled up into
your air ducts and unfortunately didn’t make it out in time, it
could be the smell of decay that is drifting through your home. You’ll
want to call a pest control company to take care of things before the
stench becomes unbearable.
Keep Your Air Smelling Fresh!
No matter what type of smell your AC may emit, the best way to keep your
home’s air fresh and clean all year long is with regular preventative
maintenance from Phoenix Air. In addition to saving your nose from a smelly
house, AC maintenance helps to boost your system’s efficiency, lowering
your energy bills and more. Sign up for our
Energy Saving Club today and get your AC the maintenance it needs.