Do You Have a Smelly AC Unit? Here Are 6 Possible Causes

The humid air and annoying heat can impact your productivity, especially while working from home. Fortunately, you can quickly change the environment with just a click on your air conditioner. Aside from the cool air that the AC provides, it can also properly circulate the atmosphere at home to ensure a comfortable environment and reduce pollutants.

However, the benefits mentioned above that you get from the air conditioner can be the other way around if you are starting to observe a different smell coming from it. There are many reasons the air conditioner is releasing foul odour, and you must remedy the situation right away.

Listed below are the possible causes of the musty smell and how an HVAC technician will be especially helpful:

- Wrong Air Conditioner Size

That's right; the size of your air conditioner can be one of the factors of bad odours. When buying an AC unit, you need to consider the size of the room where it will be installed. The rule is simple: the bigger the room, the bigger the unit should be. If you put a small air conditioner in a big room, it won't be enough to cool the entire room no matter how long you leave it on. The humid air may just overpower the cool air and can lead to a damp smell. Meanwhile, a bigger machine for the room will quickly cool the area and may cause too much moisture as well.

- Poor Filtration System

Keep in mind that every air conditioning unit has a filtration system that prevents contaminants from entering the home. However, contaminants such as bacteria can cause that musty smell. If your air conditioner’s filter is not working optimally, it might not be able to clean the air coming into your home.

- Unclean Coil

The coil is the part of the AC that dispels the hot air outside so that you can enjoy cooler air on the other side. Unfortunately, the coil is a sensitive part that can collect dust and moulds over time. So, if you haven’t cleaned it for some time, it will be best to schedule a mechanical service to ensure an ideal indoor temperature.

- Clogged Drain Line

Did you know that dirt build-up can block the draining system of the air conditioner? If the AC’s drain pipe is clogged, the water that it is supposed to release has nowhere else to go. In the end, the water will just sit inside the AC and reach metal parts of the machine. If you are starting to smell something unpleasant coming from it, a clogged drain may be the culprit.

- Refrigerant Leak

The air conditioner uses fluids that can smell like car exhaust when heated. But if your air conditioner smells like a car engine, there might be a leak in your refrigerant line. If this happens, it can compromise the functions of the machine. It may even release chemicals that are harmful to your health when inhaled.

- Stuck Rodents

Rodents and critters usually find it fun to go inside your air conditioner. However, they can die when they try to enter the inner areas of the machine. As such, it can cause the unit to stop functioning eventually. So, if there’s a rotten-egg-like smell from your AC, you need to hire an HVAC technician to inspect the unit and remove any stuck rodents immediately.

Conclusion

There is undoubtedly a problem when your air conditioner starts to get smelly, but whatever the cause may be, you should never overlook this issue. On top of that, it might not be best to consult the Internet and try to resolve the problem alone. Do-it-yourself repairs can cause more issues than if an expert remedied them.

If you have a smelly AC unit at home, Soul Mechanical has got you covered. Our experts give the best and fastest air conditioning repair in St. Albert to ensure that your living space is comfortable at all times. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!