Every home either has a central air conditioner or a split AC. So a majority of us are not new to odors emanating from the air conditioning vents. But that does not mean you have to live with these smells and get used to them. Odors are maddening and can arise due to multiple reasons. Once you find its cause, you can accordingly take corrective action. Today, let us concentrate our efforts in finding out how to fix odor coming from air conditioning vents. Before we begin, let’s first try to understand a little more about these odors.
Why Does The AC Smell Bad?
A common illness that, surprisingly, a large number of air conditioners suffer from is the “Dirty Sock Syndrome”. This is no laughing matter. Imagine you come back home after a hard day of work and you are greeted with the repulsive dirt socks smell. Well! Wouldn’t that sour your mood? Dirty sock syndrome is when your AC gives out a foul moldy smell. This odor arises from the build-up of bacteria and mold on the evaporator coil.
Another odor coming from air conditioning vents could be that of heating or burning wires. This odor is quite distinctive, and it is caused by loose cables or a short-circuited board.
If there is a rotten egg smell coming from your AC, it could be caused by a dead animal decaying in your air duct. In winters, small animals may find their way into the vents and make a home. If they die in the same place, the AC carries that smell and throws it inside your house.
How To Fix Odor Coming From Air Conditioning Vents
As is clear from above, there are a number of reasons for the awful odor coming from your air conditioning vents. To fix the problem, there are several things which you could do.
1. Clean The AC – There are many parts of AC which you can clean yourself, like, the air filters and ducts. All you need is a brush, rag and a wet/dry vacuum cleaner with a long hose attachment. Cleaning the filters and ducts will ensure that there is no bacterial build-up. You can also see to it that there is no standing water in the drip pan and the drain line. Damp areas in the air conditioner propagate mold formation.
2. Install Duct Filters – Cleaning the duct filters every day is not possible. You can only do so once in a while. For all the other times, installing duct filter pads in the AC vents will help control the odor issue to a large extent. These filters are hypoallergic and are easily available at many home improvement stores.
3. Seasonal Maintenance – Through the course of seasonal maintenance, the AC is given a thorough cleaning and tuned up for maximum efficiency. This takes care of deep cleaning of the AC to kill bacteria and germs along with any other small animals who would have found their way into your HVAC system. It also takes care of loose nuts, bolts, and wires. These are tightened so that they do not cause sparking at a later on date. Ignoring seasonal maintenance to save a few dollars is not sensible.
4. Odor Control Methods – In some seasons, especially the monsoons, the moldy smell is perpetually present everywhere. This is mainly because everything becomes wet and promotes mold and mildew formation. Your AC may simply be picking up this odor and circulating within the house. So it is not necessary that the issue is in the AC. In the wet and damp season, you can look for artificial odor control methods. Burning an incense stick, switching on the air purifier, placing baking soda directly inside the air duct, placing potpourri of dried aromatic herbs strategically around the house are some ways to control the odor.
5. Call For Professional Help – Once you have done all that you can to control the odor and yet it persists, it’s time to call for some professional help. It is best to get help from HVAC experts because they can get into the nook and crannies of your HVAC system and clean and disinfect it top to bottom. Getting help from the experts is advisable when-
6. You find a dead animal or rodent inside your duct. Since it has started decaying, it could cause health hazards. So, thorough cleaning and disinfecting become a necessity.
7. You can see significant mold growth inside various parts of your AC.
8. Dust and debris have severely clogged the AC.
9. You suspect that there is a leakage in your ducts. This will need to be dealt with by professionals as your AC would have to be uncovered to fix all the leaks.
Whom To Hire For Professional Help
Whenever you are looking for someone to handle your air conditioner problems, keep in mind that there will be genuine companies as well as those who are looking for some easy cash. Always hire an HVAC company that can provide you with all the credentials. If in doubt, look up their reviews online. Most importantly get estimates from more than one company to make the best choice. When they claim there is a problem with the air conditioner ask for evidence. These few tips will assist you in choosing your HVAC expert correctly.
Ending Note
Odor coming from air conditioning vents may or may not be a big problem. The chances are that the former will hold true rather than the latter. Do a basic checkup at your end first before calling in the big guns. Even after your efforts if the odor does not go away, get help from the experts. They will help quickly resolve your problem and bring the good smells back in your home. If you live in Palm Springs, Florida and are looking for help with your air conditioner, give us a call at +1-888-729-8452. We are available 24/7 for all emergency services.
