If you have noticed a bad smell in your home, and have traced it to your air conditioning unit, it is important to act quickly. Left unchecked, the source of the bad smell could develop into something that could destroy your AC or even cause health problems for you and your family.
That’s why knowing the tricks for identifying and eliminating bad smells is crucial. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Find out what the different types of smells coming from your air conditioner might mean, and how you can eliminate them quickly.
Different Types of Bad AC Smells
Cigarette Smoke
If you smell cigarette smoke coming from your AC, it means someone has smoked in the house and the vapors have accumulated inside the coils. The best way to deal with this is professional cleaning.
‘Stinky Feet’ Smell
If the smell near your AC resembles smelly feet or dirty socks, then the cause is likely dirty evaporator coils. The cause could also be a clogged up condensate drain or the existence of stagnant water in your unit.
Sewage Smell
If sewer smells are emanating from your AC unit, it is possible that sewer gases have built up in your ventilation system. You will need to call a professional for this.
Burning Smell
A burning smell in your AC means that something in there has overheated, such as the motor or the wiring. Immediately switch off your AC if you smell burning.
Sulfur Smell
A sulfur smell could mean that you have a gas leak. Switch off your gas, do not light a spark, leave the house, and call the gas company immediately.
Eliminating Bad Smells Quickly
Turn the Power Off
No matter what type of regular AC maintenance you are conducting, always keep safe by turning off the AC beforehand. If the power is not shut off, you run the risk of giving yourself a nasty electrical shock.
Change Your Air Filter
Changing air filters is important if you want to eliminate bad smells. Dust and debris, alongside other common causes of bad smells, will build up in your air filters.
Keep checking drain lines in your AC and switch out your air filters for new ones every 60 days. This will keep your AC smelling fresh.
Clean the Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils can often capture the sources of bad smells and leak them into your home. When you are performing routine maintenance on your AC, always clean your evaporator coils using a foaming oil cleaner agent. It takes only a few seconds.
Install an Air Purifier
The benefits of air purifiers are many, especially when it comes to keeping your home feeling and smell fresh. A whole-home air purifier will help eliminate any bad smells that might be getting exacerbated by your AC unit.
Change Your Habits
Finally, you should consider if anything you are doing is making the problem worse. Always smoke outdoors. Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering.
Keep your home clean to avoid the build-up of pollutants. These simple steps will make a lasting difference.
Call a Professional Today
Of course, eliminating bad smells cannot always be done with routine maintenance. If you need a professional AC maintenance and cleaning expert in Northwest Florida, do not hesitate to get in touch today for an instant price quote.
