How to Remove Bad Smell From Air Conditioners
It can be very annoying when you notice that your air conditioner smells bad every time you turn it on. Instead of you feeling relaxed, you would feel stressed and annoyed because your room reeks of bad odor. Of course, the bad smell won’t go away with just a simple step. It is very important that you know where the smell comes from, what causes it to happen, and the steps you need to do to get rid of it as soon as possible.
There are a lot of reasons why your air conditioner stinks, and knowing how to deal with these is crucial in solving the problem.
Different Nasty Odors From Your Air Conditioner
As mentioned above, there are a lot of reasons why bad odor comes out of your air conditioner. Here are some of those.
Dirty Laundry
If your air conditioner smells like dirty socks and sweaty shirts, this means that this particular odor develops in your air conditioner as a result of standing water or bacterial growth. As unpleasant as it is, this air conditioning odor is usually not harmful.
First and foremost, replace your air filter if it has become moist or clogged. Next, hire an HVAC professional to tidy out your AC system, paying special attention to the evaporator coil and drain. Professional maintenance should ideally be scheduled once a year.
Rotten And Bad Eggs
This is a bad sign. If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, it almost always means you have a gas leak in your home that is leaking into your ductwork. Natural gas is a potentially hazardous substance. It has the potential to catch on fire, explode, and/or reduce oxygen levels in the bloodstream, all of which can have serious, and often fatal, consequences.
First, if it is safe to do so, turn off the gas supply and get everyone to leave the house. Then, report the leak to 911 or your gas company.
Something Burning
When you initially switch on the HVAC system, you may notice a slight burning odor. This is normally nothing to worry about. An electrical fire threat, such as a short circuit, motor overheating, or damaged wiring that is sparking, might be indicated by a distinct burnt or gunpowder odor.
Here are some options for you. Whether you have a faint whiff, wait a few minutes to see if it goes away on its own. Switch off the system, vacate your home, and call the fire department from outside for a stronger odor. Contact an HVAC company to fix your air conditioner once the issue has been settled.
Mildew and Wet Clothes
Moisture that escapes through the airflow is another outcome of excess dampness in your air conditioning. It can become stuck in the ducting, causing mold and mildew to bloom.
The best place to start is by inspecting your AC filter for moisture or clogging. If it doesn’t work, hire an HVAC professional to clean your ducts and empty up your condensate line.
The smell of Vehicle Coolant
Antifreeze, an important component of car coolant, has a sweet odor, comparable to Freon or R-22, a dangerous domestic air conditioning refrigerant that is being phased out by the Canadian government. A car coolant-like stench within your home indicates a Freon leak, which is extremely dangerous because Freon is poisonous when inhaled.
When this happens, turn off the air conditioning and open the windows widely to let fresh air in. Then, to locate and repair the leak, contact an HVAC refrigerant professional.
Smells Like A Dumpster
A nasty garbage-like odor usually indicates that a mouse, bird, or other creature has entered and died in the ducting. The air conditioning is assisting in the propagation of the odor in your home.
You’ll need to get someone to clean your duct system and remove the animal’s remains. Until then, keep the spread to a minimum by avoiding using the air conditioner. Companies that specialize in air conditioning maintenance can help you with this, so contact your nearest AC maintenance person to help you.
Skunk Smells
If you smell something that resembles that of a skunk, Pepe Le Pew has already paid your air conditioner a visit. If frightened, skunks may spray the outdoor condenser unit of your air conditioner. Your ducts will then be filled with the unpleasant odor.
Turn off the air conditioner to prevent the odor from spreading any further. Open some windows to let some fresh air into your home. Clean the ductwork and the condenser with the help of your friendly neighborhood HVAC technician.
Contact Your AC Service Center
If there are problems like this with your air conditioner, the best thing you can do is to contact your trusted AC service center or AC maintenance professional to check how they can solve the problem for you. You can trust them as they know what they are doing, with their knowledge and years of experience.