Are you dreading turning on your air conditioner this year because you remember the odors it gave off last summer? Spring time is a good time to address that situation, before you have to run the A/C continuously and endure those ranks smells in your home. And by all means, do not ignore it. If your A/C stinks, there’s something wrong and you need to look into eliminating odors.
There are two principal types of odors homeowners usually notice emitting from the air conditioner:
- Dirty sock smell — generally caused by mold or mildew
- Rotten egg smell — generally caused by a pest problem, such as a dead rat or other animal
Dirty Sock Syndrome
Mold or mildew generally originates from one of three locations in your A/C:
Evaporator coils
Located inside your indoor A/C unit, these coils are generally damp with condensation and when they get dirty, can harbor mold, mildew and bacteria.
Other signs: Ice formation and poor air flow.
Remedy: Have the coils professionally cleaned.
Mold in ductwork
This may be caused by leaks in air ducts, mold growth that has spread from another source or high humidity levels in your home.
Remedy: Have ducts professionally cleaned. Don’t attempt it yourself, as special cameras and equipment are needed. Also, leaks will have to be repaired, and humidity levels lowered by fixing leaks, installing exhaust ventilation or using a dehumidifier.
Clogged condensate drain
This is a common occurrence as sludge forms in the line that drains away condensation from your A/C.
Other signs: Sounds of water leaking, puddles of water near the A/C or the A/C starts suddenly shutting off.
Remedy: Homeowners may clean the drains themselves, but it’s usually best to call your A/C technician.
Rotten Egg Smell
The decaying animal smell is pretty unmistakable. You may observe it is stronger near vents.
Other signs: Scurrying sounds prior to the smell; pest droppings and hair inside ducts.
Remedy: Call a pest control professional.
For more on eliminating odors in your air conditioner, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We serve Dayton and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
