A smelly air conditioner can be a big problem if you don’t act quickly. It can make your home smell like a locker room or worse. When your AC unit starts to smell, it can mean a lot of things. It can mean that a foreign object got stuck in your unit or there is a problem with your drain line. It could also mean that your unit needs a good cleaning.
If you have an air conditioner that smells, there are a few things that you can do to fix the problem.
Check the outside of your air conditioning unit for any leaks
If you do see any leaks, make sure you get them fixed right away. If you don’t then there is a chance that the water could leak into your air conditioner and cause it to smell. Check the drain line of your air conditioner for any blockages. The drain line is usually located near the compressor unit of your AC unit. If there are any blockages in this area, then take care of them immediately.
See if the filter needs to be changed or cleaned
The filter may be very dirty and need replacing or it may just need to be cleaned out. Filters need to be cleaned out on a regular basis. You can clean the filter with a vacuum cleaner, or you can take it out and wash it in warm water and mild soap. If you wash the filter, make sure that you let it dry completely before putting it back in your unit.
Make sure that your air ducts are clean and free of any foreign objects
You may have some dust or other particles in your air ducts that could be affecting the airflow. Check if there’s a dead rodent in your air duct. If there is, then remove it immediately. Don’t wait until it is decomposing, or you’ll have a much bigger health problem on your hands.
Check for any electrical issues
If there is a burning smell coming out of your air conditioner, there may be a problem with your fan belt, or you have a broken capacitor that is overheating. Make sure to call for heating and cooling services immediately to have the electrical issue fixed. Heating and cooling repair should be done as soon as possible when there is an electrical issue in your air conditioning unit.
See if there’s any gas leak
Gas leaks are very dangerous, so if you smell gas, then you should leave the house immediately and contact a heating and cooling repair professional to get the gas leak fixed.
Conclusion
Never underestimate a bad smell in your air conditioner. It could be a sign of a bigger problem that you have to take care of right away. The list above should help you identify the source of the odor and fix it immediately. If you notice any of these problems with your air conditioner, then call for heating and cooling services right away.
