We install air conditioners to help us feel relaxed in our homes. But when you start to notice unpleasant odors coming from your cooling system, it’s more than just annoying. It can greatly affect your home comfort.

Where do the smells come from?

Focus on what the odor smells like. If the odor resembles a rotten egg, this could be an indication of a gas leak. If this is the case, you should open your windows, turn off the gas supply, evacuate the home and call the gas company. Allow the gas company turn it back on for you. It’s not something you want to mess around with.

If it doesn’t smell like rotten eggs, you probably have a different problem.

Just like anything in your house, if your air conditioner isn’t cleaned properly or taken care of, there’s a good chance that dirt and dust will accumulate. And because components of your air conditioner aren’t front and center, cleaning them can often go overlooked.

Buildup of mold, dirt and other particles is one of the most frequent reasons you’ll notice odors with air conditioners. It can happen with the coils, drain pain, air ducts or even your filter. However, regular maintenance can help prevent this buildup and reduce the chances that an unfriendly smell starts dispersing throughout your space.

Heat and moisture can contribute to increased mold growth, namely in warmer climates. Not only can mold and mildew develop a nasty smell, but it can also negatively impact the quality of air in your space.

It’s also possible that a small animal navigated into your duct system and died. You can turn off your air conditioner and either give our team or pest control a call to come and remove the animal.

What can I do?

Analyze your filter. This is a usual culprit for air conditioner odors. If it’s been a long time since you’ve changed your air filter, try replacing it with a brand new one. We typically suggest changing your filter every few months. But it’s also important to keep in mind other factors that would require you to replace it more repeatedly, such as pets in the home or if a family member has allergies or asthma.

If you’ve replaced the filter and it’s not helping, it’s probably time to reach out for some help. Especially if it’s been an extended period of time since your last air conditioning inspection. The pros can assess the situation to see if a thorough cleaning can do the job. You could consider having your air ducts cleaned. Professional duct cleaners can take a look to see if your indoor air quality would benefit from a proper cleaning.

If you have frustrations about the odors in your home, Halverson Brothers Inc can help you assess the situation and chat about possible solutions. You should be able to enjoy your cool indoor space in the warmer summer months, without having to suffer with undesirable odors. You can book an appointment with us online or give us a shout at 715-352-4052.