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Foul odors coming from the air conditioning system can be a cause for alarm. Most experts say it is a clue about something that is going on within the system and should not be shrugged off. 

Unusual odors coming from the Air Conditioner should never be shrugged off.

Homeowners will benefit a lot from knowing what specific odors mean, and what should be done about it. It will also be beneficial to have the contact details of a reliable HVAC contractor who can help with possible repairs and air conditioning emergencies.

Building and environmental inspection website Inspectapedia has shared ways of dealing with various HVAC odors. In their comprehensive guide, they mentioned possible reasons for unpleasant odors that could emanate from the air conditioning system. 

“Duct and air handler odors in buildings can be traced to a variety of sources such as leaks and mold in the duct system, a leaky (and unsafe) heat exchanger sending flue gases or even carbon monoxide into building air, dead animals in the ducts or air handler, or even a bad blower motor that is overheating.”

Read more here.

Dirty Smell

Home improvement website HomeGuides SF Gate meanwhile rounded up different odors that high-efficiency air conditioners can produce. According to their article, one of the most common odors is that which smells like a dirty sock. 

“One of the most common causes of high-efficiency HVAC odor is moisture that has spawned mold. Commonly known as a “dirty sock” smell, the odor comes from the mold that has made a home on your unit’s evaporator coils, on the surface of the liner, in the drip pans and on drain lines, according to the Florida Department of Health. The odor is one indicator of the mold; it’s an earthy, stale, musty smell, that does resemble a dirty sock odor. You can smell it coming from the ventilation system, but the culprit is a slimy, dark sludge that feeds on the moisture in the high-efficiency unit.”

The full article can be found here.

Gardening and home improvement website Den Garden meanwhile shared ways on how to remove the moldy smell coming from the HVAC system. In their article, they featured a step-by-step guide in removing the unpleasant odor.

“Here are the main troubleshooting methods covered in this article for getting those musty and moldy odors out of your ductwork: (1) Clean your malfunctioning air conditioner unit because it has A) a dirty evaporator coil, B) a clogged condensate drain line or C) a filthy air filter. (2) Install duct filter pads in your vents to control the smell. (3) Apply DIY odor-control methods such as baking soda to your air ducts. (4) Consider that the problem may be bigger than something you can solve, necessitating the hiring of professional service to address the issue.”

The rest of the write-up can be found here.

Air conditioning odors should never be shrugged off. When unsure as to how to deal with it, it will always be best to seek professional help.

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